The Missouri Vocational Association/Missouri Business Education Association celebrated their 28th Annual Joint Summer Vocational Workshop and MVA Conference in Springfield. Missouri, July 21-24. Over 3,200 MVA members registered and more than 140 exhibitors brought displays. Approximately 70 MBEA members attended the conference. The North Central Business Education Association Region 3 joined the MBEA conference.

Business educators around the state had an opportunity to select from over 75 workshops and/or computer labs for in-service training. The business education teachers from Jackson attending the MBEA conference were: Debra Hoffmann, vocational instructor; Janet Ludwig, department chair, Janet Koch, Becky Riney, Kathy Hecht and Rhonda Norman. The Jackson Senior High School Business Department was recognized for 100 percent membership in Missouri Business Education Association. Teachers were able to network with other business teachers, learn new techniques, update information and socialize with colleagues from Missouri and the north central region states. MBEA stimulates growth and professional development in business education throughout the state.

At the conference Janet Ludwig was elected President-Elect of the Missouri Business Education for the 1997-98 year. Janet previously served as treasurer and secretary of MBEA and is a member of the MBEA Executive Board. Janet will represent Missouri at several national conventions for business/vocational education.

As President-Elect of the Business Division. Janet will also serve as a member of the Missouri Vocational Association executive board. A total of 11 divisions make up the association's specialized groups within the field of vocational education.

At the awards luncheon, Debra Hoffmann was inducted as a member of Who's Who in Missouri Business Education. Debra was recognized for her dedication in promoting and improving business education through leadership and involvement in educational and professional activities. Janet Ludwig was selected for Who's Who in Missouri Business Education at the 1996 MBEA conference. Debra and Janet are members of National Business Education Association, North Central Business Education Association. Missouri Business Education Association, Missouri Vocational Association, and Southeast Missouri Business Education Association.

The Jackson Senior High School Business Department was honored to be named the Outstanding Business Education Program in the state of Missouri. All members of the Jackson Senior High School Business Department were present to receive the third annual Program of Excellence Award. A plaque was presented by the Missouri Business Education Association. The Program of Excellence Award is presented to a business program that has demonstrated excellence in the field of business education.

It was stated in the awards program that the Jackson Senior High Business teachers believe their most important contribution to business education is that they give their students a quality education and lifetime skills to live a good life in our economic society as successful and productive citizens. The business teachers provide Jackson students the opportunity to: learn the basics of personal finance, develop techniques for making wise consumer decisions, master economic principles and learn the basic operations of business. Their greatest reward is when former students relay to them their accomplishments in their chosen career path.