Contributed HEADING TO STATES — Multimedia and design students at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are heading to the Ohio Business Professionals of America Conference March 10-11. Seniors going include, from left, Briley Blancato, Cheyenne Jordan and Madison Grim. Junior Katie Wells also will attend.

BLOOMINGDALE — Four members of the multimedia and design program at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are competing among the state’s best during the Ohio Business Professionals of America Conference on March 10-11.

Seniors Madison Grim and Cheyenne Jordan, who attend Edison High School, and junior Katie Wells, a student at Indian Creek High School, will take part in the visual design team contest while senior Briley Blancato of Edison will participate in the competitive modeling event at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. High school-aged contestants from across the state will compete in a series of activities for a chance to advance to the nationals at Orlando, Fla., in May.

This is the first time for all of the students to attend after receiving high scores during the Region V BPA competition that was held Dec. 11 at the JVS. About a dozen schools took part in the regional contest with about 220 people involved. The visual design team formed a marketing campaign for a farmer’s market while Blancato created a three-dimensional model of living facilities for a paraplegic veteran. Adviser Cody LaRue said the events are judged based on a system that follows BPA standards.

“The students are given topics and Rubrics are included,” LaRue explained. “Each competition consists of a technical skill that is pre-submitted and a presentation on their work that is also part of the score.”

Grim and Blancato were equally thrilled about the prospect while Wells said she couldn’t believe they won. Additionally, Jordan said she was eager to see the happenings at states. To prepare, the students held a video conference with local artist Darrell Finsley of Finsley Creations of Wheeling and received tips on how to shine at competition.

“He had nothing but positive things to say about their work and said they were performing near a professional level,” LaRue said.

“We discussed how to improve our designs and have a better chance at states, as well as more professional quality,” said Grim.

“I think it was really beneficial, and it was cool to work with someone who works within the industry,” Jordan added.

“I’m nervous but excited to go and I want to do graphic design [as a career],” Wells commented.

“It’s my first time in competition modeling and I learned a new program for it,” said Blancato, adding that she consulted paraplegic student Chuck Carter and reviewed Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for her project.

Meanwhile, Grim and Blancato served on a team for regionals last year and earned second place for their entry, while LaRue said his students have advanced to states during eight out of the past 10 years.