DECA Groups Wins Big at State Conference

The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapters from Dysart Unified School District’s four high schools competed in the Arizona DECA State Career Development Conference in Phoenix this past month. Students had the opportunity to network with more than 2,200 peers from around the state while competing in one of 50 unique business competitions. Additionally, students also had the opportunity to visit with Arizona’s top colleges, top businesses, and learn first-hand how to be ready at any level, for any career. 

Valley Vista High School students George Lopez, Marco Pantoja and Rafael Jacobo-Flores received Gold Certification in Retail Sales for the Monsoon Market.  All three students will attend Nationals. Nicollette Thomas qualified for Nationals in Marketing Communications and Xavier Lamme qualified for Nationals in Accounting Applications.

Willow Canyon High School received Gold certification in both Food Operations and Retail Sales, and received awards including Top 10 finalists.  Additionally, nine students will attend Nationals.

Dysart High School students participated in several categories.  Trystan Wright earned third place in Accounting Applications and will attend Nationals. Clement Policarpio and Cali Overs placed in the Fashion Design Virtual Business Challenge and will also attend Nationals.

Shadow Ridge High School received Gold certification in both Food Operations and Retail Sales. They took a large group of students and placed in several competitions including: 

Ruby Adkins: Marketing Management Finalist, 5th Place and Business Solutions Project, 4th Place, National Qualifier 

Luke Aranda: Franchise Business Plan, 2nd Place and Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making Finalist, National Qualifier 

Noah Axelson: Financial Literacy Project, 2nd Place, National Qualifier 

Lexus Collins: Travel and Tourism Finalist, 3rd Place, National Qualifier 

Chelsey Crowder: Marketing Management Finalist, 5th Place and Business Solutions Project, 4th Place, National Qualifier 

Emma Donegan: Travel and Tourism Finalist, 3rd Place, National Qualifier

Krystina Dunham: Financial Consulting Test Medal, 2nd Place, National Qualifier

Troy Echito: Franchise Business Plan, 2nd Place and Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making Finalist, National Qualifier

Andrew Ingman: Financial Consulting Test Medal, 5th Place, National Qualifier

Trinity Johnston: Community Awareness Project 3rd Place, National Qualifier

Stephen MacKellar: Personal Financial Literacy Test Medal, Finalist, 2nd Place and Financial Literacy Project 2nd Place, National Qualifier

Lily McDaniel: Business Services Marketing Finalist, National Qualifier

Daxton Mills: Principles of Business Management and Administration Finalist, National Qualifier

Skylar Nelson: Personal Financial Literacy Finalist

Chloe Nowling: Marketing Communications Finalist and Community Awareness Project, 3rd Place, National Qualifier

Mackenzie Plant: Community Awareness Project, 3rd Place, National Qualifier

Tyler Ryder: Automotive Services Marketing Finalist and Franchise Business Plan, 2nd Place, National Qualifier

Tristan St. Germain: Professional Selling, 2nd Place, National Qualifier

Brooke Tantillo: Community Awareness Project, 4th Place, National Qualifier

Rebekah VanZile: Community Awareness Project, 4th Place, National Qualifier

Emma Welborn: Personal Financial Literacy Finalist, National Qualifier

Gavin Williams: Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling, 1st Place, National Qualifier Sydney Zaroslinski: Personal Financial Literacy Test Medal, Finalist 

Kloey Garcia  and Jamie Johnson, School Based Enterprise Fan Shop Gold Certified, National Qualifiers

Mark Heimall, Daxton Mills, and Varish Yadav, School Based Enterprise Snack Shop Gold Certified, National Qualifiers 

Lily Smith: National Qualifier

The DECA International Career Development Conference will take place April 23-25, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. 

DECA is a premier student organization that supports the development of marketing and management skills in career areas such as hospitality, finance, sales and service, business administration, and entrepreneurship.  DECA is one of the many Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities offered to prepare students for the academic and vocational skills necessary to successfully enter the workforce. Learn more at dysart.org/cte.