On Feb. 24-26, 19 Freedom DECA members competed against 2,300 students at Pennsylvania DECA’s State Career Development Conference in Hershey, Pa. The two most common ways to compete in a DECA competition are: competing in a category or by writing a research paper called a manual. There are several types of manuals, but all are required to be a minimum of 11 pages and a max of 30 depending on the specific paper. Then, the Manual must be presented. They’re also state-only events, if someone writes a manual, they get to skip district competitions and go to states.

Students must present a 10 minute presentation of the manual in front of a judge(s) and then they have five minutes to answer any questions. Manuals require a lot of preparation and are very time consuming. For students that don’t want to do a Manual, there are categories to choose from that involve an aspect of business they would like to learn more about. There are many different subjects, all having to do with the prime principles that define DECA; finance, hospitality, management and marketing.

For students that choose this route, they take a test regarding general business knowledge and another test tailored to their category. In addition to the test, they must work out a role play with a judge. Many students study and win their way from districts to states and, then, to nationals.

Third place was awarded to the teams of Senior Zach Kugel and Sophomore Maddie Edder for their Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan, Dereck Majors and Louis Dubovi in Business Operations Services and Danny White and Hannah Buerkle in the Quiz Bowl event, while Senior Ryan Gray placed fifth in the Creative Marketing manual category. These are the seven students attending nationals this year. Juniors Reilly Collins and Louis Dubovi have also been elected as 2015-2016 state officers, Collins being District 2 Representative and Dubovi for executive council.

“Being District 2 representative next year brings a great feeling because now I will get to work behind the scenes to make other’s DECA experience as positive as mine has been,” Collins said.

“The responsibilities of a state officer are a great privilege and a lot of work. It is with great admiration that I pass the torch to [Collins and Dubovi] at the end of this year; I would leave the organization I care so deeply for in no other hands,” Gray said.

Many students all over the United States, as well as in several other countries, that compete in DECA competitions will benefit in their future careers, communication skills and business abilities. DECA also gives students opportunities to meet new people who share similar interests.

“I have been president of Freedom DECA for two years and was vice president my first, sophomore, year. Being a three-year member, my only regret is not joining my freshman year. This organization has taught me so much, and afforded me so many opportunities and, for that, I will be forever grateful,” Gray said.

Pennsylvania DECA donated over $9,000 to the Boot Campaign this year, as its state charity. The student delegation and State Officers were vital components to its success, which benefits disadvantaged veterans. Mrs. Beth Majors, advisor of Freedom DECA and Vice-President of The Pennsylvania DECA Board of Trustees, expressed her pride and enthusiasm in the accomplishments of her students. Majors is excited to take seven students to ICDC on April 25-29.