DECA students proved themselves this year at the annual district conference sending 72 out of 107 students from Algonquin on to the State Conference in March.

According to the international DECA website, DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America.  The organization prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.  DECA provides co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, applying learning in the context of business, connecting to business and the community and promoting competition.

At DECA students choose to be in a category varying from Hotel and Lodging, to Principles of Finance. There are 17 categories for individuals and seven events for teams.   The top nine individuals and the top seven teams in each qualify for States.

“I really enjoy doing it,” said DECA advisor Michele Tontodonato. “I like to watch the students go as far as they want to go.”

At the State conference students will participate in a role play or case study where they will have time to prepare and then they will go in front of a judge t present.  They will also take a 100 question test on their topic.

Freshman state qualifier Maggie Shatz, who came in sixth for Principles of Business Management and Administration, explained what she did during her role play.

“I had to assume the role of a person interviewing for a summer internship.  I had to talk about business law.  There were four indicators and questions that I had to touch on.  The indicators are really important to talk about to score well on the role play,” Shatz said.

As senior Josh Ufland’s first time competing at DECA, he admitted to being a little nervous.  Ufland placed first in the Principles of Finance and plans on heading to the state conference.

Sophomores Lauren Cammarano and Annemarie Moy were partners in the Sports and Entertainment category.

Cammarano, who qualified for States said, “I’m glad Annemarie and I were partners.  I feel as if it’s easier to have a partner so if you don’t know the answer your partner can help.”

The 72 students who qualified for states will head to Boston for March 6 in hopes to qualify for Internationals in Atlanta, Georgia in April.

Students who Placed First at Districts:

Brooks Gingrich – Business Finance

Eric Bomarsi + Michael Coombs – Business Law & Ethics Team

Andrew Mitchell – Business Services

Timothy Keville – Food Marketing

Brian Kirk – Sports & Entertainment

Paul Nardone – Human Resources

Trevor Fuce + Peter Scorzelli – Marketing Communications Team

Josh Ufland – Principles of Finance