Over 2,100 students from all over Georgia came together to compete at the DECA State Career Development Conference, with a number of local students qualifying for the DECA International Career Development Conference by placing in the top 9 in the state in their events.
Whitewater High DECA was well-represented by 31 students, and 21 of them qualified for DECA International.
The Wildcats won the state championship in three competitions: Ella Hall won 1st place in Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling, Ryan Golubeff won 1st place in Financial Consulting, and Owen Quick and Garrison Rider won 1st place in the Virtual Business Challenge – Retailing,
Other Whitewater High students advancing: Julianne York placed 3rd in Retail Merchandising; Bonnie Landers placed 3rd in Integrated Marketing Campaign; Sarah Nell Harp placed 3rd in Principles of Marketing; Zac Golubeff placed 4th in Personal Financial Literacy; Seth Eaton placed 4th in Automotive Services Marketing; Kellan Frenelle placed 5th in Marketing Communications; Grace Deslaurier placed 5th in Restaurant & Food Service Marketing; Garrison Rider placed 5th in Principles of Finance; Xavier Clay-Turner placed 6th in Entrepreneurship; Oppy Findo placed 6th in Business Services Marketing; Avery Morr, Lizzie Holt, and Kennedy Williams placed 6th in Integrated Marketing Campaign; Nolan Brown placed 7th in Apparel & Accessories Marketing; Kaylee Graiser placed 8th in Apparel & Accessories Marketing; Anthony VanHeyningen placed 8th in Financial Consulting; Julia Geise and Sona Sutcavage placed 9th in Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making.
In addition, Julianne York received a $1,000 scholarship from the GA DECA Foundation.
Whitewater High’s DECA advisor is Karen Stoll.
After two years of not being able to compete at the state level, Sandy Creek’s DECA Chapter walked away with impressive performances with four members advancing.
Caleb Adams and Rishad Virani won 1st place in Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making, Taylor Williams placed 5th in Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling, and Reagan Troutman placed 9th in Principles of Business Management & Administration.
Sandy Creek’s DECA advisor is LaTangelia Sanderson.
In its inaugural year, Whitewater Middle had 11 members compete at DECA State.
Georgia DECA has special events just for middle schoolers, and the top 8 in each event were recognized. Five WMS competitors earned a placement.
Umu King won 1st place in Marketing Role Play, Chloe King placed 2nd in Principles of Business Management & Administration, Fiffy Abiodun-Findo placed 3rd in Principles of Hospitality & Tourism, Charlie Arena placed 4th in Promotional Pitch, and Bella Kirchner placed 4th in Principles of Business Management & Administration.
Whitewater Middle’s DECA advisor is Steve Hutchinson
Over 2,100 students competed at the DECA State Career Development Conference, with many local students qualifying for DECA International.
