The first competition of the year was held on Dec. 5 at the Sheraton Hotel in Moon. This was the district competition, and Freedom students won a number of awards. The awards ranged from third to first in both group and individual categories, with some members qualifying for states.
Tests, role playing, food and dances. Members of Freedom’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter began preparing for this year’s competitions as early as the beginning of this school year. Students competed in one category out of about 20 and studied material to gain knowledge of their topics. Some categories included Restaurant Management, Marketing Management, Business Law and Ethics, Hospitality and Apparel as well as Accessories Marketing.
To compete at a DECA competition, one must participate in two events: taking written tests and carrying out a roleplay situation. The first test is a 30-minute general marketing exam containing 50 questions. Following this test, there is a 100-question cluster exam for the students that takes one hour to complete.
Besides the exams, members must roleplay their type of business category. After a five-minute preparation, individual or partnered groups get a chance to promote their ideas about a topic. These can last up to ten minutes in front of one or two judges.
While DECA requires a lot of thinking and preparing to succeed, members are rewarded with a dance after all the work is over. The judges use this time to review individual and group scores to then choose winners. The dance is then followed by an award ceremony where students learn if they placed in their categories.
This was Freshman Devin Daley’s first year as a DECA member. At the district competition, he placed first in the Marketing Management division.
“It felt amazing to place first as a freshman,” Daley said. His goal for the year is to see himself as well as the rest of the team make it to nationals.
Sophomores Breanna Barnes and Justine Pecchi also placed in the district competition. Competing against at least six other groups, the two placed second in the Hospitality category.
“[My goal] is to do well in states,” Pecchi said.
DECA helps to prepare members for the business world and in school as well.
“DECA has helped me grow as a student because I feel like I have more knowledge in my category, and it gives me strength to strive for more,” Sophomore Brittany Bionda said. Bionda placed third in her individual category, Quick Service Restaurant Management, which qualified her for states.
“It was the greatest feeling I have ever felt,” Bionda said. This is Bionda’s first year as a DECA member.
Junior Zach Kugel agreed.
“DECA has helped me grow as a student through improving my communications skills and my comprehension skills,” Kugel said. He and his partner Junior Robbie Raso also qualified for states, placing first in the Marketing Communications category. The two also placed highest on the general marketing Exam in the district.
Of the 18 DECA members competing in the competition, all will be attending the state competition. This competition will be held sometime in February in Hershey, Pa.