DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. The national theme this year is “Maximize Your Momentum.” Twenty-one of the 26 Kimberly students were able to do just that at the Wisconsin DECA District 4 Competition on Saturday, Jan. 8, by qualifying for the state-level competition.
After the event was forced to take place virtually last school year, students were excited for the return to an in-person event. Senior Wyatt Barker said, “DECA districts was a great time. Last year I competed for the first time, but it was online due to COVID-19, so there definitely was a huge difference between the two years. When you’re in person it’s a really great experience. I loved being able to talk to competitors from other schools and talking about our experiences in DECA. DECA districts was a great time to just get to know some of my chapter members as well. You have a lot of down time during districts, and its gave me an opportunity to meet some chapter members and get to know them better. Another great part about districts is the award ceremony. Being called on stage and standing on the podium in front of all the DECA chapters, is a great experience that I didn’t get last year.”
The district competition involved an exam related to a specific area of business and a role play. Role plays put students into a scenario where they are an employee or manager and they are presented with a problem they must address. Students conduct these role plays with local business professionals who evaluate student responses based on specific business and marketing performance indicators.
These role plays are a great way for students to practice their soft skills in communication, creativity and decision making. Junior Taylor Peterson has been involved in DECA since her freshman year and had the opportunity to compete both in-person and virtually.
Peterson said “whether in person or online, DECA competition has allowed me to grow my confidence and test my business knowledge while meeting new people and building friendships.”
The State Career Development Conference takes place Feb. 22-24 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva. Competitors from area high schools, including Appleton, Bay Port, Green Bay, Hortonville, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Neenah, New London, and the Pulaski school districts, took part in the district competition.
DECA is an international marketing and business association for college and high school students. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs through a comprehensive learning program that integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, promotes competition and connects to business. DECA prepares the next generation to be academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible and experienced leaders.
First place
Accounting applications — Wyatt Barker
Automotive Services — Brynn Malcomson
Hotel and Lodging — Taylor Peterson
Restaurant and Food Service Management — Abigail Hutchinson
Principles of Finance — Greta Melzl
Marketing Management Team Decision Making — Vienna Melzl & Ethan Sommer
Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making — Olive Hoffman & Claire Knutsen
Second place
Apparel & Accessories — Hannah Havel
Third place
Quick Serve Restaurant Management — Rebecca Schank
Principles of Business Management & Administration — Madison Weyenberg
Sports and Entertainment Marketing — Isaac Dechant & Kevin McGrath
Fourth place
Marketing Management Team Decision Making — Lindsey Massey, Ella Piette
Additional medalists or qualifiers
Gold Chapter Project — Addison Slinger
Entrepreneurship — Raianna Evans
Principles of Hospitality and Tourism — Eddie Heinan & Ethan Loker
Principles of Marketing — Jacob Behnke & Sophie Roehrborn
Sports and Entertainment Marketing — Grant Campbell