Oak Forest HS's Work Programs Honor Members

Oak Forest High School work programs BPA and FCCLA joined forces to honor their hard working members Wednesday at the Annual Work Programs Banquet, held in the IMC at Oak Forest High School. District 228 Special guests Dr. Brad Sikora, Dwayne Mentgen, Dr. April Nykaza, Dan Dunne, Dr. Savka Mladenovich, and Jane Dempsey were on hand to honor the industrious students at the banquet.

Each work program honored the students who have learned so much and have competed in various state and national competitions this year. Dr. Savka Mladenovich said that these programs give a student “lifelong skills for success. Students gain leadership skills and all should feel proud of their accomplishments.”

The Business Professionals of America (BPA) President Shane Bednarek spoke on behalf of the BPA program. He said, “BPA has prepared me to enter into the business world. This is it; let’s use what we have learned and apply it to our lives.” Oak Forest High School teacher Connie McSweeney is the sponsor of BPA.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Co-President Paige Manso spoke on behalf of the FCCLA program. She said, “FCCLA introduced us to some real life situations and how to deal with them. We had a practice interview. We learned to prepare for the worst and expect the best.” She also talked about FCCLA’s service opportunities, working with: Stop the Violence about domestic violence, Feed My Starving Children, and the JDRF to help children with juvenile diabetes. Oak Forest High School teacher Kristina Blair is the sponsor of FCCLA.

All of these students put in countless hours on their club activities. Part of their responsibilities of being a part of this club was getting and maintaining a job which emphasized the work skills they were getting as a part of club activities. All of these clubs competed at the regional and state levels and did very well.