Susan Graves, Sapulpa , an adult student in Susann Shanahan's Administrative Assistant/Legal Program at Central Tech, won Second Place in Legal Office Procedures post-secondary competition as she participated in the National Leadership Conference of Business Professionals of America in Anaheim , California , April 22-26.

The competition consisted of a timed objective and legal document production test. After completing an internship, Graves will graduate in May from the CareerTech program at Central Technology Center in Sapulpa.

Approximately 3,200 high school, 100 middle school, and 800 college students from throughout the United States, including 343 students and advisors from Oklahoma, participated in Business Professionals of America's 39 th National Leadership Conference's 54 events. Activities included general sessions with keynote speakers, business meetings, leadership workshops, contests, election of national officers, and tours of southern California sights! The highlight of the conference was the presentation of the awards to the winners of the national contests.

Eighty-four Oklahomans placed among the top ten winners in the “Strike it Rich Conference,” including 14 in the top five and 2 national winners. “The conference was the culmination of a school year's work by our students and staff in business workforce education and training as well as leadership skills development at Central Tech. I am very proud of Susan as well as our other students who work so hard to learn and do their very best,” said Shanahan.

Students and teachers also met with industry representatives from a variety of business areas at the conference Expo & Career Fair. One such company was South-Western, a part of The Thomson Corporation, and a leader in providing life-long learning products to business educators, individuals, and corporations. South-Western is a long-time sponsor and supporter of Business Professionals of America.