Business Professionals of America » Service Programs » The Torch Awards Program

The Torch Awards Program

Click here to download the 2011-2012 Torch Awards Handbook.

Students who earn 70 points in each category of the Torch Awards can receive the Ambassador AwardBusiness Professionals of America's Torch Awards Program frames and guides a BPA member’s leadership and service to their chapter and community. Students complete activities in the seven Torch categories--Leadership; Service; Cooperation; Knowledge; Friendship; Love, Hope, Faith; and Patriotism--then log their activities in an online Torch Résumé.

Each activity is worth 5, 10, 15, or 20 points. When a student achieves a certain number of points for each category, his/her advisor or local reviewer can submit the résumé online to be reviewed for recognition. All students completing a satisfactory résumé will be awarded. The Secondary National Officer Team has created supplemental materials to aid in a student's quest for a Torch Award: There are four levels of recognition:
  • Executive Torch Award: Given at the local chapter level, the Executive Torch Award requires 10 points in each Torch category. An Executive is defined as "a person having administrative or managerial authority in an organization."
  • Diplomat Torch Award: Depending on your state, this award might be awarded at the local, regional, or state level. The Diplomat Torch Award requires 30 points in each Torch category. A Diplomat is defined as "one skilled with tact in dealing with people."
  • Statesman Torch Award: Given at the state level, the Statesman Torch Award requires 50 points in each Torch category. A Statesman is defined as "one who is a leader in the promotion of the public good and in national affairs."
  • Ambassador Torch Award: Given at the national level, the Ambassador Torch Award requires 70 points in each Torch Category. An Ambassador is defined as "a diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative of the organization."
Award Organization Level Points Required in Each Category Submission Deadline Recognition
Executive Local Chapter 10 varies Pin and certificate
Diplomat Varies by State 30 varies Pin and certificate
Statesman State 50 varies Pin and certificate (otherwise varies by state)
Ambassador National 70 March 15, 2012 Pin and certificate, Honor Recipient Celebration at NLC

A student who earns an award through Business Professionals of America's Torch Awards Program will be presented with a certificate and pin commemorating their achievement. Students receiving the Ambassador Torch Award will receive their pin and certificate at the National Leadership Conference in Chicago, IL, April 25-29, 2012. They will also be invited to the Honor Recipient Celebration, a reception at NLC in their honor. Most importantly, though, a student participating in the Torch Awards Program builds a rich catalog of service and leadership experience to be proud of.

Résumés must be submitted by the appropriate deadline to be eligible for awards. Once a résumé is submitted, regional/state/national administrators can evaluate the résumé and either approve or reject the résumé. If approved, the student has earned the award and no further action is required. If rejected, an advisor and student can then work on the résumé more and re-submit, as long as the appropriate deadline has not passed.

The Torch Awards Program is open to all BPA members in the Middle Level, Secondary, Post-secondary, and Associate Divisions.