This past weekend, 51 Orono High School Marketing students competed through the Orono DECA program at the State Career Development Conference in Minneapolis, Minn.

DECA is a business marketing organization that prepares emerging business leaders around the globe.

The team, led by 20-year veteran marketing teacher Keith Jurek, had 47 finalists, and 17 students who qualified for the next level of competition.

Students who qualified for the international conference, along with the places they finished at the State Career Development Conference are:

• Maddie Parrott & Andy Ten Eyck – first place in International Business Plan

• Jack Ellis & Makenzie Shofner – first place in Hospitality Services Team Decision Making Roleplay

• Iris Erickson & Mary Fischer – first place in Sports & Entertainment Business Operations Research Project

• Luke Haglin & Ellie Willson – second place in Entrepreneurship Written

• Paige Ament & Jack Ellis – second place in International Business Plan

• Ariana van Dyke – third place in Business Finance Roleplay

• Jaci Bauman, Emma Betz, & Makenzie Shofner – third place in Buying and Merchandising Business Operations Research Project

• Ellie Greiber, Rebecca Schoen, & Cabrini Winkels – third place in International Business Plan

• Ryan Dudley & Dan Wall – third place in Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making Event

The qualifying students will compete at and attend the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Ga. in early May.