On April 28 through May 3 DECA students will be in Anaheim, California to compete in the Deca nationals, an international competition for marketing students. There, the students will be judged based on a test that they will take.

Thousands of schools will be sending students to compete. Marketing teacher, Joe DeCiechi has high hopes for the DECA students who will be competing.

“I think we have some kids who can do very well,” De Ciechi said. “It’s just nice to see the kids compete at the highest level.”

FHN has been sending DECA students to nationals every year for the past several years. This year, they are sending more students then ever before. Both students competing in nationals and DECA administrators have been working extremely hard to prepare for the trip.

“I have a lot of administrative stuff to do,” De Ciechi said. “We help students with their events.”

The DECA students competing in the nationals have come a long way to get this far. Students first had to qualify at a state competition. The students are excited for nationals and feel that there are several skills they will need to succeed in the nationals.

“You need the four SS: smart, sass, suave, sexy,” junior Kevin Taylor said.

The students of DECA are expecting to do very well in nationals. Both students and teachers believe that getting to nationals is very important, that getting to nationals opens up many doors.

“I think it’s important because it’s a great opportunity for the kids,” De Ciechi said.