The marketing club, DECA, had a chance to compete in different events where they can make projects or take tests. Six out of the seven members that placed at state went to internationals; including, Rachel Buchanan, Joey Key, Pavan Kolluru, Ellie Lichty, Bailey Scarbrough and Natalie Stevens. Internationals were held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 23-April 26. Kolluru and Key placed in the top ten in the whole country.

“[Competing] shows them how to be in professional situations, how to conduct themselves under pressure, how to think outside of the box and think quickly for themselves,”DECA sponsor and business teacher Mike Freedline said.

Seniors Buchanan and Lichty did a business solutions project and placed third in the whole state at the state competition.
“I’m so excited to move on,” Buchanan said. “I’m overjoyed that I made it this far.”

Last year, DECA was done virtually so Buchanan joined this year, gaining real-world experience for a future career in business management.
“I wish we could have [competed] in person prior, but since COVID, things kind of stopped,” Buchanan said.

DECA can be very beneficial to students who are looking to gain experience in the marketing and business fields.

“I wish more students would do [DECA],” Freedline said. “It is a great opportunity for students, whether it’s FBLA, DECA or HOSA. I think all of those professional organizations we have at school students should get involved in.”