2022 SLC

Secondary Division Florida State Officer Candidates

Eshal Ahmad (She/her/hers)
Instagram: @Eshalfor.BPAStateOfficer
Campaign Manager:
Amber Ni (She/her/hers)
Instagram: @amber.y.n
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Arya Gupta (She/her/hers)
Instagram: @aryagpta

Campaign Manager: None

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Arnold McNeal (He/him/his)
Instagram: @keytolife_123
Twitter: @HHSClassof23VP
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arnold.McNeal16
Campaign Manager:
Shaylyn Lyons (She/her/hers)
Instagram: shaylyn_lyons122005
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Rishabh Mehta (He/him/his)
Instagram: @rishabhmehtaforbpa
Campaign Manager: Tabeana Khan (She/her/hers)
Instagram: @tabeanakhan
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Aryan Parulekar (He/him/his)
Instagram: @aryanparulekarforbpa

Campaign Manager: None

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For technical support or questions, contact Patrick Schultz, Director of Technology Integration, at pschultz@bpa.org
Business Professionals of America 2020

Eshal Ahmad

My name is Eshal Ahmad, I am a Junior at Seminole High School, and hope to be a part of the upcoming State Officer team. As a third-year member myself, I feel as if I have highly benefited and grown from this club not only personally, but also professionally. Being a part of the Business Professionals of America State Officer team, will help me vocalize many of the ideas I have to help make the club more friendly and approachable. My goal is to lead the members of BPA to success while also encouraging and motivating people to join.

What experiences have you had in Business Professionals of America to prepare you for state officer?

Being a part of Business Professionals of America has given me experience that I feel has truly prepared me to become a state officer. From regional to state to national leadership conference, in both competition and community, BPA has allowed me to develop as a leader and team member.

What experiences have you had outside of BPA to prepare you for state office?

To help prepare me for state officer, outside of BPA I have been put in situations at the Law office I interned at where my ability to judge and problem solve was tested. Additionally, volunteering at Advent Health has helped me gain experience working with all kinds of patients.

What makes you a leader?

I have been put into many situations where leaders are necessary, which has definitely taught me how to be responsible, manage my time wisely, and ensure everyone’s ideas are heard and considered. In group projects, I always try to have a vision in my head prior to jumping into things.

Can you commit time to being a state officer?

I am very passionate about being in BPA as a club and I know I can commit to being a state officer. Regardless of any other extracurriculars and commitments, BPA will never be neglected and will always be made a priority to show my dedication and love for this club.

What changes and enhancements will you make as a state officer?

As a state officer, I intend on creating a more family-like experience for all members. For instance, hosting events such as ice cream socials, bowling nights, etc, can bring the members of BPA together which ultimately can lead to the experience feeling more approachable and friendly.

What do you think your biggest challenge as a state officer will be?

I think my biggest challenge as a state officer would be collaborating and working with people I may not always agree with. However, I am working on improving as a communicator and team member. I will make sure to listen to others as well as offer my input.

Arya Gupta

As a member of Business Professionals of America, I aim to help Florida BPA flourish as a whole. My name is Arya Gupta and I have served as a chapter officer and hope to become a state officer. Whether it’s holding fundraisers for our school, or helping incoming freshman select their desired events— BPA is something that I’m very passionate about and a big part of my life. As a state officer, I will work to help Florida BPA further build our status as one of the best and make your BPA experience better.

What experiences have you had in Business Professionals of America to prepare you for state office?

I’m currently an officer in my schools chapter of BPA and I’ve had many leadership roles!

What experiences have you had outside of BPA to prepare you for state office?

I was on student council which allowed me to gain experience working in a team towards a large goal!

What makes you a leader?

My compassion and ambition allow me to be a good leader! I value everything that everyone has to bring to the table and believe that everyone’s opinions are important in their own way.

Can you commit time to being a state officer?

BPA is currently one of my biggest commitments and state office would definitely be the same. I enjoy spending time working with BPA and would bemore than happy to do so.

What changes and enhancements will you make as a state officer?

As a state officer I think it’s important to be able to increase recruiting! I also believe that there is a lack of racial and economic diversity which I would take steps to improve.

What do you think your biggest challenge as state officer will be?

I think it will definitely be a challenge learning to readjust after the pandemic has happened, however I’m confident that BPA as a whole will be able to overcome that!

Arnold McNeal

Business Professionals of America is more than just a club and organization, its family. BPA has shaped my thinking as a young adult during my tenure in it. BPA has helped me with my leadership public speaking, communication and so much more. The goals and ideas that I have for BPA are 1. Make a difference in our state. 2. Collaborate with students to build a better organization with more focus on current workforce ideals. 3. Equip our chapter with materials to use for projects and competitions. With these ideas and goals, I believe I will be able to amend.

What experiences have you had in Business Professionals of America to prepare you for state office?

In BPA I’ve had a lot of experiences to prepare me for state office. From running meetings, committees, and assuming different leadership positions.

What experiences have you had outside of BPA to prepare you for state office?

Outside of BPA I have held many leadership positions within my school. I helped make executive decisions on school culture.

What makes you a leader?

Determination, Hardworking, Approachability, effectiveness, communication, that is what makes me a leader.

Can you commit time to being a state officer?

I am available to being a state officer.

What changes and enhancements will you make as a state officer?

Enhancements that I will make are as follows: 1. Collaborate with students to build a better organization with more focus on current workforce ideals. 2. Equip our chapter with materials to use for projects and competitions.

What do you think your biggest challenge as state officer will be?

The candidate choose not to answer this question.

Rishabh Mehta

These last few years have shown me how pivotal BPA has been in my growth as a professional. By building the foundations of my confidence & personality, it has helped me be proud to speak my mind on what I believe. In addition to academic benefits & life-skills, BPA has allowed me to become more social through my interactions with members across the state & gifted me with memories I will cherish forever. With this newfound voice, thanks to BPA, I wish to incite the same spark within other students just as other officers were able to do for me.

What experiences have you had in Business Professionals of America to prepare you for state office?

Working with my chapter members on BPA at SLC and qualifying for NLC, competing in Torch Awards, and spreading BPA at events like the Freshman Exposition, all while watching former state-officers make a difference within FLBPA have fueled my confidence and drive to make an impact as a State Officer.

What experiences have you had outside of BPA to prepare you for state office?

Co-founding the Seminole High School Club Gateway to Science, committed to spreading STEM across my community, has taught me how to lead a team, as well as my volunteer and work experience at the Orlando Science Center and Mathnasium, teaching me the importance of using my voice as a leader.

What makes you a leader?

A true leader brings together the ideas and perspectives of people in a cohesive and engaging way that allows everyone to feel heard. Understanding this key principle allows me to practice facilitating and steering the conflict towards a common resolution and goal to work towards ensuring unity within the team.

Can you commit time to being a state officer?

Yes, to be a state officer is not just a positional commitment, but a commitment to the people of this organization. By putting forth my best efforts back into this Organization, I will be able to effectively serve and create beneficial outcomes for members through my passion and work ethic.

What changes and enhancements will you make as a state officer?

As a State Officer, I will strive to “Propel with Passion” by working with and integrating both the Alumni and Middle School Division to have a bigger role within FLBPA, and be a voice for smaller, less-involved chapters across the state of Florida while working to make BPA more economical.

What do you think your biggest challenge as a state officer will be?

With the ongoing pandemic, the biggest challenge will be communicating and representing smaller chapters in FLBPA, given the COVID-19 restrictions. Even within the SO team there may be times where conflict arises, and it is the responsibility of an officer to work through conflict to strengthen relations with one another.

Aryan Parulekar

Serving my second term as an officer, I would continue building successful practices and also begin executing new initiatives. Within the current team itself, we have implemented a sector system that has increased our overall effectiveness and productivity which I would like to continue. Additionally, I would like to increase communication between the Chapter, Region, and State, by working directly with chapters, which would facilitate a seamless transfer of information. As an officer, I will turn my vision into reality by expanding the support of CTSOs, specifically BPA, in the Florida Department of Education while growing our current student sector.

What experiences have you had in Business Professionals of America to prepare you for state officer?

Serving as a state officer and my chapter’s parliamentarian, I have been able to visualize BPA both as a state officer and a chapter officer. From issues with registering new chapters in the state or registering my own chapter, staying organized would allow for ease for the whole state board.

What experiences have you had outside of BPA to prepare you for state office?

As the co-founder of Unavigate and my school’s economics club, I have had to take responsibility for many decisions within the school board and my team. This allows me to fulfill all tasks, offered or others if they cannot, and have ease of communication with the state board.

What makes you a leader?

The ability to visualize my goals and being able to communicate effectively is what makes me a strong leader. Having a vision of one’s goals allows one to effectively complete their task. Strong leaders should be able to effectively communicate with their representatives and colleagues.

Can you commit time to being a state officer?

Serving as a Florida BPA state officer will be my number 1 commitment. I will be able to commit to all events listed on the Candidate Agreement, all weekly officer meetings, and any others if requested by the FLBPA board of directors or other officers

What changes and enhancements will you make as a state officer?

As a state officer, breaking the communication barrier within the state level as well as the 3 divisions – state, region, and chapter – will be my major change. Concurrently, I plan to expand Florida BPA to middle schools and regions which have not been explored by FLBPA.

What do you think your biggest challenge as a state officer would be?

As the current Florida BPA state Treasurer I have learned that being a good leader is simply a continuous learning process. Being a state officer, my biggest challenge will be interweaving both the ideas from the Florida BPA student body and the Florida state officer team.