From the nomination form:

Trent Hughes has been a member of the Oklahoma BMITE and Oklahoma BPA family since 2018. Under his guidance, the BPA chapter has flourished and expanded numerous opportunities for student members at the local, state, and national level. Some of these activities include participation in the Fall Festival, Community Blood Drives, Local Leadership and Entrepreneurial Training, and success at the BPA Fall, State, and National Leadership Conferences. During his first year as a BPA chapter advisor, Trent registered five (5) students that competed in six (6) different competitive areas. All students successfully placed in the top 10 in their respective events and two of these students qualified and competed in the national competitions. During his second year as a chapter advisor, 10 students competed in 18 events, with all students again placing within the top 10 in their respective competitive events. Five of these students placed first (1st) at the state level and qualified for nationals. Unfortunately, NLC was cancelled due to COVID. In 2019-2020, he was awarded the CareerTech Lottery Grant and purchased the equipment necessary to run a full printing company out of his classroom. Not only is this a direct example of co-curricular integration, it also resulted in the largest fundraising results in the chapter’s history and allowed student members to participate in BPA-sponsored events that had previously been denied to them due to funding restrictions.

I first met Trent at an advisor workshop at the 2019 BPA FLC, where he expressed a deep desire to “get more involved in Oklahoma BPA.” In this capacity, he worked alongside me on the infamous “second-floor” during competition day at SLC. I was so deeply impressed with his level of competence, patience, and genuine excitement to assist both student members and advisors, that I encouraged him to run for an open position this past May as the Mid-Level Representative on the BPA National Board of Trustees. To say this has been a difficult year would be an understatement. Facing the fallout this year from the first-ever NLC cancellation has resulted in unexpected and often-difficult conversations and decisions at the national level. As an active member of the National BPA Personnel and Finance Committees, Trent has brought forth fresh ideas for new revenue streams (such as the new national fall professional development conferences for both advisors and students), identifying, analyzing, and cutting non-essential expenses, and asking the hard questions that need addressed so that he can make truly informed decisions that he can stand by with complete assurance. As my term on the National BPA Board expires this coming May, I am confident that Trent will continue to promote accountability, transparency, and new opportunities as the organization moves beyond the pandemic into a bright future of growth and prosperity.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the support he has additionally provided to Oklahoma Career and Technical instructors this year by serving as a presenter at both the first-ever “virtual” August Conference and BPA Competition Boot-Camp, where he presented key insights and “Advice on Making BPA Co-Curricular.” Additionally, Trent is serving locally as his school’s CTE Coordinator, assisting both the two Agricultural Education and single Family and Consumer Sciences instructors with essential fundraising and advisory responsibilities. This level of commitment and service to Oklahoma CTE instructors and students is indeed commendable and, when combined with his passion, incredible work ethic, initiative, integrity, and heartfelt desire to make a difference, make him an ideal candidate for the prestigious Oklahoma BPA Mid-Level Advisor of the Year for 2021.