DECA Team Excels at District Competition

The Providence Cristo Rey High School DECA club had an excellent competition performance at the 2018 DECA District 8 Career Development Conference.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Providence Cristo Rey's DECA club is in its fourth year.

DECA members choose a concentration area and are judged on an exam and their performance during role-play scenarios. There are usually 12 to 18 students competing in each area during district competitions.

This year, Providence Cristo Rey sent seven students to the district competition. Three students placed first in their event areas: Yoselin Martinez for Marketing Communication, Omar Ramirez for Food Service Management, and A'Jewelle Johnson for Apparel and Accessories Marketing. All three will be moving on to the state competition in March.

Yoselin and A'Jewelle will be returning for their third state competition. "When I saw my name listed at the top, I was really shocked!" says A'Jewelle. "DECA is something that shows me my growth. This is the first time I've placed first at districts. This club has helped me develop my love for business."

Three other Providence Cristo Rey students qualified for the state competition: Gustavo Adame for Hotel and Lodging Management, Miguel Olivares for Retail Merchandising, and Dyrashay Phelps for Business Services Marketing.

"I like being in DECA because it helps me with my professionalism. Also, it's just fun, especially when you are doing it with your friends," said Dyrashay, a junior at Providence Cristo Rey. "I am very excited to go to state and I am ready to do well again!"

Providence Cristo Rey is one of eight schools in the Indiana DECA District 8, which includes: Brownsburg High School, Ben Davis High School, Avon High School, McKenzie Learning Center for Innovation and Technology, Plainfield High School, Beech Grove High School, and Covenant Christian High School.

Patti Hammerle, Technology Teacher & DECA advisor, was proud of the club's success. "I am so proud of all of them. To be a small school and have such a big presence at this competition with these larger schools is amazing," she said.

The 2018 DECA Indiana State Career Development Conference will be held March 4-6 in downtown Indianapolis.