DECA Districts, the business club’s annual district-wide competition, always bring a mix of emotions, and this year was no different. Competitors arrived feeling a blend of nerves and readiness, having spent countless hours preparing for their events.
DECA is an international business club that prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It hosts competitive events where students apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, such as business role-plays and written projects. Participants can prepare by studying certain concepts, practicing presentations, and using their problem-solving skills to excel in their events.
The atmosphere at Districts was enthusiastic, with students hurrying between presentations, last-minute studying, and encouraging their teammates.
For many, the pressure of competing was increased by their personal goals. This year marked a milestone for some returning participants, anxious to showcase their growth.
“My group and I felt very prepared and it took lots of hard work. We wanted to knock it out of the park and represent our school in the states round,” said junior Sam Richardson.
Richardson, along with his group, created a website in their spare time called Scogameday. It has all the information about Masco sports. They have worked on this website since September to prepare to present it at this competition.
Richardson, and most DECA members, used their DECA advisors to seek feedback and suggestions as they worked.
“Our Masco DECA members have exhibited positive leadership, a commitment to giving back, strong time management, perseverance, and self-advocacy skills. I’m ready to see what my students can show,” said DECA advisor Madison Marc-Aurele.
Marc-Aurele’s support and encouragement helped many students push through the nerves and perform at their best.
The moment results were announced brought a wave of emotions. Those who made it to States were overjoyed, celebrating their hard work.
Junior Nino Stefanelli was one of many students who made it to the state competition for his project. His project wrote a detailed business plan that proposed incorporation of AI into a local bank, hoping to help it with organization and find more success.
“It felt like all my hard work paid off when I moved on to States,” said Stefanelli.
Despite the mixed results, DECA Districts remain a learning experience for everyone involved. It’s a reminder of the dedication and resilience it takes to compete, and for those moving on to States, it’s a chance to aim even higher.
The real competition kicks off on February 27 and 28, when all the students’ hard work culminates at the Boston Seaport for the DECA State Conference. At States, participants will present their projects once again, this time to a new panel of judges. If a presentation earns a high enough score, students will advance to the next stage, where another group of judges will evaluate their work and hopefully award them with a prize.