In the usual fashion, Indian Hills High School DECA achieved great success at the DECA Regional Competition. The competition was held on February 12th at Ramapo College in Mahwah where Indian Hills DECA members showed up ready to win. DECA, also known as Distributive Education Clubs of America, is a business-focused international organization that coordinates high school and collegiate business competitions—centered around business role-plays and papers—to prepare rising leaders in the business industry. In past years, the IHHS DECA chapter has consistently sent members to state and international competitions, and this year was no exception. The top 14 students in individual events and the top nine teams in partner events had the opportunity to move on to the next conference. Overall, 40 DECA members from the conference advanced to states.
In addition to the competition accolades, students gain invaluable experience and insight into their future careers. “DECA has taught me a lot in terms of business sense and public speaking but has also shown me what an amazing experience and opportunities it offers,” Vice President Tristan Casella, a junior, says. “DECA Districts ran incredibly well, allowing us to explore all the different aspects of DECA while competing and getting into the swing of things this year.”
New Jersey State Officer Krishan Patel further stated, “As a competitor, I felt more than adequately prepared, especially with our support through DECA+ study guides. In my final year with IHHS DECA, I got to see many of our newer members qualify for states. Alongside competition, as a state officer, districts went fantastic. While much of my experience was running papers across campus, the networking opportunities to connect with new members was exciting.”
IHHS DECA’s passion and drive for success has remained strong. “On behalf of NJ DECA’s Team 63, we are feeling electric and are more than excited to see our membership surge at our annual State Career Development Conference this year!” Patel says. Casella “look[s] forward to the state competition and being able to continue with DECA throughout my high school experience.”
DECA’s qualifiers will compete at the state competition, held at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, from March 4th to March 6th, 2024.
