Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), is a club run by Mr. Cole Eged, history teacher, and Ms. Miranda Santa, mathematics teacher. The main point of DECA is for students to develop leadership and business skills. Students involved in the program are given the chance to compete in events involving marketing strategy presentations, project management and business challenges.
Every student enrolled in the club was able to compete in a category of their choosing. The competition started on Dec. 3, 2024 when students were required to go to Eged’s room to take a test for their respective categories. The tests are scored out of 100 points, and the average score of those participating was about 60-70.
On Dec. 13, students acted out their business scenarios. They had to have a conversation with a judge, who would pretend to be an employee, coworker, customer, et cetera, and the student would act as a manager or employee of a business. Students had 10 minutes to read their scenario prompt and develop their presentations. Their presentations were one of the most important parts of showcasing their plan that required critical thinking.
The bracket that the students participated in was the District Two competition, which had a total of 509 competitors. The top five individuals for each category could advance to states, and the top four teams for team categories could advance. Students who advanced to the state competition were Colton Blank (11), Calla Reynolds (11) and Christopher Denkovich (12).
These students, along with advisors Eged and Santa, left for states on Feb. 19. That same day, the students took a test similar to the one they took at the school. The following two days is when they performed their role plays and business proposals at a higher level than the county competition. DECA also hosted other various activities for those participating to have a fun time while at the competition. These ranged from scavenger hunts to a fashion show, which Blank participated in, winning the DECA glass award for male modeling. Even though attending the DECA state competition was a serious accomplishment, it also gave students a fun time to remember.
“[The state competition] allowed me to work in a professional setting while maintaining a leadership position, further allowing me to advance my understanding of being a leader while also befitting me personally by giving me realistic experience in the marketing industry,” Blank said.
Once making the top eight, Denkovich was required to complete another roleplay to determine if he was going to the International tournament in Orlando, Florida. He won the DECA glass award for his category of Restaurant and Service Management, becoming a state champion and qualifying for the International DECA tournament. He obtained the highest roleplay scores in the high school chapter, as well as the highest testing score.
“DECA helped me to practice public speaking and staying calm in tense situations,” Denkovich said. “I didn’t stress the competition aspect and focused on experiencing all of the unique moments with my friends.”