Deciphering the language of numbers is certainly no mystery to Brittany Brady.
In fact, when it comes to computerized accounting, the Oxford High School senior is tops in the nation.
Over the weekend, Brady placed in the top 10 at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) 2010 National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California.
‘It hasn’t hit me yet,? she said. ‘It’s really amazing. I’m proud of myself for working really hard for it.?
‘I was so excited,? said OHS accounting teacher Lynn Hammis, who serves as co-adviser of the high school’s BPA chapter with Maria Wolbert. ‘I think she’s done a great job. She’s come a long way, from regionals to states to nationals.?
‘This is (the BPA chapter’s) first year and to have a student be in the top 10 in the nation is really an accomplishment for Brittany and for Oxford High School,? Lammis added.
Twenty-seven states were represented by 5,600 participants at the national conference. Michigan alone had 551 participants in attendance.
Brady, who’s a member of the high school’s BPA chapter, competed in the area of computerized accounting.
Competitors were given a month’s worth of hypothetical business transactions, which they had to journalize and balance in an hour-and-a-half.
‘They have an option of using three different programs,? Hammis noted.
Brady, who’s the daughter of Darrell Felver and Katherine Brady, placed ninth in the nation.
‘I didn’t think I was going to make top 10, so I was pretty surprised when they called my name,? she said. ‘My parents are really excited. They’re really proud of me.?
She plans to attend Baker College and eventually pursue a career as a Certified Public Accountant.
Her interest in handling financial records began when a teacher at her former high school, Lakeland in White Lake, encouraged her take accounting classes because of her aptitude for mathematics.
‘When I transferred over to Oxford, I just decided to try accounting and I really liked it,? she said. ‘Mrs. Hammis is a really good teacher, so she really got me interested in it.?
‘It’s challenging and I like working with math,? Brady added.
‘She’s almost like a sponge, just wanting to learn more and more of this,? Hammis said.