Penn DECA program advances 10 to International competition

Penn High School’s DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) program enjoyed one of its best showings at the DECA state competition in Indianapolis on March 3-5, as 10 Penn students qualified for the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, April 27-30. Those students will be challenged by competitors from all over the world, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain.

"Preparing our students to be successful in the world of business is critical,” Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher said. “We are proud of their accomplishments and are confident that these students will make a difference in our world as future entrepreneurs or business professionals."

Penn’s International qualifiers are:

• Alex Fadely and Eric Wood – Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making Event
• Jacob Eshowsky and Allison Masterson – Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making Event
• Evan Johnson and Jade Tapper – Sports & Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making Event
• Jada Edison and Abbie Clay – Independent Business Plan
• Mia Farias and Addyson Farias – Hospitality & Tourism Operations Research

An additional seven students advanced to the finals in their events:

• Thomas Rzeszutko – Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling
• Edward Null & Aidan Whitney – Innovation Plan
• Cameron Kreger & Cameron Trueblood – Sports & Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making Event
• Christian Marshall & Ioannis Samoilis – Business Law & Ethics Team Decision Making Event

DECA is a worldwide club that prepares future leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. There are two main categories that these events fall under, either a research project and written paper, or a role play scenario. The events can be completed individually or with a partner. Role-play competitors must first take part in a district competition and advance to the state competition, while papers, which require much more preparation, go directly to the state competition.

Penn’s DECA Chapter is led by Kyle Berres, an Instructor in Penn’s Management and Business Academy.