DECA Success

South County students were recognized for their outstanding performance at the 2017 Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach, VA March 3-5. The conference was recognized by National DECA as the largest state conference ever held with more than 4,000 competitors. South County’s DECA Chapter was awarded multiple awards including Platinum Chapter for largest total membership and Thrive Award for completing three National DECA Chapter Campaigns.

“Every year I try to the set the bar higher than the last, and every year they surpass it,” said DECA teacher adviser Kellen Scott. Additionally, 19 students qualified for DECA's International Career Development Conference and competition in Anaheim, California on April 25-30. Winners included:

· Tazche Turner, Business Services Marketing - 1st Place, VA DECA Honor Society, VA DECA Merit Award

· Sivahle Ellis, Principles of Hospitality & Tourism - 1st Place

· Brandon Taylor & Connor Wynkoop, International Business Plan - 1st Place

· Daniel Eckhardt & Diego San Diego, Buying & Merchandising Team Decision Making – 2nd Place

· Kaitlyn Buckner & June Kwak, Sports & Entertainment Team Decision Making – 2nd Place

· Matt Gurule, Drew Herbert, & Braydin Sones, Entrepreneurship Franchise Business Plan - 3rd Place

· Ramir Cena, Principles of Business Management - State Finalist, VA DECA Honor Society

· Alicia Booher & EJ Johnson, Travel & Tourism Team Decision Making - State Finalists

· Navonte Dean, Financial Consulting Event - State Finalist

· Chris Magume, Entrepreneurship Independent Business Plan - State Finalist

· Bailey Collins, Business Finance Series - State Finalist

· Sohrab Rahimi, Automotive Services Marketing Series - State Finalist

· Jolly Smith, Food Marketing Series - State Finalist

The following students were recognized at the preliminary awards session and named State Top 10 in a test and/or role-play (RP) in their categories and also deserve our congratulations:

· Tucker Gorski - Sports & Entertainment Marketing Series - Test

· Michael Lee - Food Marketing Series - Test, RP2

· Juho Kim - Apparel & Accessories Marketing Series - Test

· Jake Borenstein - Marketing Communications Series - Test

· Nathan Sage - Business Services Marketing Series - Test

· Taylor Chambers - Hotel Lodging Management Services - Test, RP1

· Arushi Sharma - Restaurant Food Service Management Series - RP1

· Evan Anderson - Restaurant Food Service Management Series - RP2

· Helene Soma - Retail Merchandising Series - RP1, RP2

· Maddie Cleary - Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series - RP1, VA DECA Honor Society

· Daniel Mehari - Human Resources Management Series - RP1, RP2

· Casey Pollard - Principles of Hospitality - Test, RP

· Lana Farah - Principles of Hospitality - RP

· Aidan Gilmore & Tommy Lane - Business Law & Ethics Team Decision Making - Test (Aidan), RP

· Faith Baxter & Asia Singleton - Hospitality & Tourism Team Decision Making - RP

· Lauren Odom & McFerrin Wyllie - Buying & Merchandising Team Decision Making - Test (McFerrin), RP

· Victor Ortiz & LaReina Rankin - Marketing Management Team Decision Making – RP

Students worked in advance of the competition in order to achieve a greater understanding of marketing. Teachers are proud and excited for these young people who have accomplished so much this year. Students “continue to impress all of us with their drive, passion, and professionalism,” said Scott.

“I am so lucky to be but a small part of this BIG team. Proud doesn’t even begin to describe it,” said Scott.