Pictured:  Judges for BPA Podcast
competition. (Bottom Left) Karla Salinas,
Edinburg High School Accounting Teacher
and BPA sponsor serve as facilitators.

RGV LEAD partners with districts from across the Rio Grande Valley to provide educational support, business and education information, leadership training, and other education-related activities. RGV LEAD staff members can also be found serving on various districts’ CTE Advisory boards.

The close bond that RGV LEAD has with the RGV enables district representatives to pick up the phone or email to request additional services. Such was the case when PSJA Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Academy Capstone teacher, Yvonne Chamblin (pictured right), asked if RGV LEAD would be willing to serve as a judge for the Regional Business Professionals of America competition, which includes students from Donna to Roma. After all, judging would not be exclusive to PSJA, but, rather, would

help all the BPA’s in the Valley. Needless to say, RGV LEAD accepted the offer and served as a judge for the Podcast competition.

Janie Johnston Lopez represented RGV LEAD. She had this to say of the event, “It was delightful to hear these young leaders create a podcast on the pros and cons of virtual learning. They presented ideas from different perspectives. These dedicated learners shared, not only what students are going through, but what teachers are experiencing as well. I truly enjoyed the BPA judging.”

Mrs. Chamblin, who has nine students going on to the next level of competition added, “All winners from the event will continue on to State competition in March, and if they advance, they will compete in Nationals in March. RGV LEAD wishes all winners continued success in the upcoming BPA competition!