This year's DECA District 8 competition was held at Brownsburg High School on January 18 with over 30 students earning awards and the opportunity to compete at the next level.
There are 57 categories that students could choose to participate in, with the option to compete solo or with a partner. To help prepare for the competition, students had a practice role play with DECA Sponsor Megan Craft prior to the event. Students received feedback from Craft to see where they could improve their presentation.
At the competition, judges use a predetermined score sheet to judge their event. There are four to five business concepts for each role play given and judges rate students based on how well they incorporated these concepts. Every student that placed in the top ten of their category is eligible to represent Plainfield DECA at the Indiana State Deca Conference in March.
“DECA competition is great preparation for the business world because it revolves around problem solving, creative thinking and effective communication,” said Craft, adding that colleges like to see students who have DECA on their resume. It shows that they are involved within their community and are actively pursuing their future career.
This year’s turnout of students was the largest number that DECA has seen in years. When giving advice to students who are considering joining DECA, junior Nolan Purvis – who competed in the Entrepreneurship Individual Series – stated, “Just try it. You're not losing anything by competing. It will benefit you in the long run with communication skills.”
\tPlease congratulate and wish the best of luck to the following students who qualified in their respective events at DECA and will be competing at ISDC:
Principles of Business Administration Individual Series
- Pryor Allen-4th
- Michael Craig-5th
- Gavin McKeon-7th
- Lucas Osweiler-1st
Principles of Marketing Individual Series
- Molly Nichols-7th
Principles of Hospitality Individual Series
- Austin Call-4th
Personal Financial Literacy Individual Series
- Addison Neuen-4th
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Individual Series
- Dominic Alfaro -8th
- Kendall Messer-5th
Automotive services Marketing Individual Series
- Quinton Seaver-7th
Business Services Marketing Individual Series
Alyssa Rinehart-7th place
Entrepreneurship Individual Series
- Sam Finney-7th
- Nolan Purvis-9th
Hotel & Lodging Management Individual Series
- Natalie Restivo-2nd
- Mikayla Routh-3rd
Marketing Communications Individual Series
- Gabriella Montoya-7th
Sports and Entertainment Marketing Individual Series
- R.E. Daum -6th
Business Law and Ethics Team Decision
- Colin Arney & Jared Beasley-10th
Buying & Merchandising Team Decision
- Addison Gorrell & Victoria Banks-6th
- Alex Holsclaw & Westyn Weyrich-2nd
- Chloe Sumner & Ruby Woodson-5th
Entrepreneurship Team Decision
- Avery Guth & Jenna Singleton-10th
- Bryce Pax & Bode Gilkerson-2nd
- Caden Heltsley & Tyler Simek-7th
Hospitality Services Team Decision
- Jake Robinson & Nayyir Newash-Campbell-7th
- Gurneet Kaur & Sri Nattam-10th
Marketing Management Team Decision
- Gabrielle Hauck & Ava Drake-8th
- Danny Badesha & Max Mantooth-10th
Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision
- Lance White & Lydia Stead-6th
Travel and Tourism Team Decision
- Kate Simek and Zach Fossmeyer -1st
- Mason Monday & Colton East-3rd
- Ian Bertoncini & Henry Lamb-6th
Story by Gurneet Kaur