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Pella High School BPA Students Earn State Honors
Five students from Pella High School's Business Professionals of America club competed at the state conference, with several qualifying for nationals.
Published on Mar. 11, 2026
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Five students from Pella High School's Business Professionals of America (BPA) club competed at the State BPA Conference in February, with several earning top placements. Malachi VanHaaften placed 2nd in the Fundamental Accounting Competition, Tristin Plants won 1st in Payroll Accounting, and Elliana Schlerman placed 3rd in Payroll Accounting, all qualifying them for the National Leadership Conference.
Why it matters
The BPA club at Pella High School provides students with opportunities to develop business and leadership skills through competitions. These strong state-level performances demonstrate the students' dedication and expertise, and will allow them to represent their school and community at the national level.
The details
The five Pella High School BPA students who competed at the state conference were Elliana Schlerman, Tristin Plants, Noah Stewart, Malachi VanHaaften, and Reagan DeJong. In the Fundamental Accounting Competition, which usually has over 60 participants, VanHaaften placed 2nd, Stewart placed 8th, and DeJong placed 15th. In the Payroll Accounting Competition, which usually has over 40 participants, Plants won 1st place and Schlerman placed 3rd.
- The State BPA Conference took place in February 2026.
- The National Leadership Conference will take place later this year.
The players
Elliana Schlerman
A student at Pella High School and member of the school's Business Professionals of America club.
Tristin Plants
A student at Pella High School and member of the school's Business Professionals of America club, who won 1st place in the Payroll Accounting Competition at the state conference.
Noah Stewart
A student at Pella High School and member of the school's Business Professionals of America club, who placed 8th in the Fundamental Accounting Competition at the state conference.
Malachi VanHaaften
A student at Pella High School and member of the school's Business Professionals of America club, who placed 2nd in the Fundamental Accounting Competition at the state conference and qualified for the National Leadership Conference.
Reagan DeJong
A student at Pella High School and member of the school's Business Professionals of America club, who placed 15th in the Fundamental Accounting Competition at the state conference.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
What’s next
The students who qualified for the National Leadership Conference will represent Pella High School at the national event later this year.
The takeaway
The strong performances by the Pella High School BPA students at the state conference demonstrate the value of the club in providing students with opportunities to develop business and leadership skills. Their success at the state level will allow them to showcase their talents on the national stage.
