UPDATE:

There are 16 Orono DECA students headed to Orlando, Florida for the International DECA competition. The participants going to the national level of competition are Taylor Johnson, Michelle Lensing, Cole Hennings, Jaci Bauman, Emma Betz, Matt Hirschberg, Jack Ellis, Rachel Lyrek, Ellie Greiber, Abby Chargo, Amara Hobbs, Jennifer Soshnik. Greta Johnson, Emily Shirley, Lindsey Case and Garrett Savoie.

DECA is an international business and marketing program that prepares high students to become leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. The Orono High School (OHS) DECA program is one of 3,500 schools to participate in DECA.

There are roughly 215,00 members in the DECA program with members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Mexico, China, Germany, Guam, Puerto Rico and Spain.

To participate in DECA, groups of one to three students must use their knowledge of business and marketing to create a new plan, for a company of their choosing, to try to improve the success of that company.

Fortunately, OHS students have the opportunity to take a marketing class which is taught by Keith Jurek. This class provides students with a great deal of knowledge regarding many business skills and techniques. Orono students benefit greatly in the DECA program due to the extended knowledge relating to the business that is provided in the class.

At this years State DECA conference, there were 16 Orono students that qualified from the state level to move onto the national level competition.

The Minnesota State DECA conference was held on March 8 through the 10. Participants submitted a written project that described their business plan for their company of their choice to a panel of judges. These judges then decide on a select number of groups to advance onto the presentation section of competition. The next phase of the competition was for the groups to present their projects.

“Students literally come running out of their presentation room feet aren’t even touching the ground, they feel so good on what they just accomplished,” Keith Jurek said.

The final event of the conference was the award ceremony. It was here where the many hard working DECA groups awaited patiently for their results and announced who would be moving onto the next stage of the competition, which would be the  International DECA conference.

DECA not only gives students a flavor of the business world, but it also provides students self-confidence, knowledge for success, and experience working with the public. This quote stated by Orono DECA student, Ellie Greiber portrayed the reality of the true passion and care towards the DECA program.

“My brother did DECA when he was in high school, and I wanted to follow his footsteps. Another reason why I took the marketing class was to learn life skills that I can use in the real world,” Greiber said.

DECA calls for students to use a great deal of critical thinking and problem solving when creating their presentations. Speaking and presenting skills are also two large components that are required of students to excel while in the DECA program.

These skills help students to further learn how to appropriately work and communicate with future colleagues in the business world.

Wonderful memories were made by all DECA State participants and will be cherished and carried with them forever.

DECA has made a significant impact on students’ lives and students have been taught many life skills that are important in the world of work.