Six Kettle Run DECA members are headed to states.

Approximately 20 members of DECA, Distributive Education Clubs of America, traveled to Apple Blossom Mall on January 10 to compete in the District Championship. Event categories included business management, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and hospitality.

During the competition, contestants had to take tests in their respective categories and compete in role plays. The scores from the two events were combined and the top three finishers in each category qualified for states.

Junior Aidan Sharp, senior Nathan Pullen, senior Kayla Stanley, junior Grant Schaner, junior Grant Colgan, and senior Matthew Taylor all qualified for states. Mark Frazier, DECA adviser, was thrilled with his students’ success.

“The energy of the students was AWESOME!” Frazier said. “I loved hearing the students singing ‘Chattahoochie’ on the bus ride up to Apple Blossom Mall in Winchester. I was smiling and laughing to myself for the rest of the ride.”

Students worked hard to prepare for the event. They took practice tests and competed in sample role plays. Schaner felt prepared for the big day and was confident that he had done well. He competed in business tasks involved in food management and said his favorite part was the role playing. He placed third in his event. Pullen competed in hospitality management. He also placed third.

“I liked getting out of school with my friends and experiencing something new,” Pullen said.

The DECA State Leadership Conference will take place on March 2-4, 2018, in Virginia Beach. There, the state qualifiers will be able to show off their business skills once more. For students who want to go into business, Schaner recommends joining DECA.

“DECA really helps you get real world experience in businesses and gives you a hint of what business life will be like,” Schaner said. “It also helps you for college applications and it’s good to say you’re part of a club.”

In addition to competitions, DECA does a variety of things throughout the year. Their goal is to complete one public service event per month, and so far, they have succeeded. According to Mr. Frazier, DECA has already volunteered at Vint Hill Fall Festival, provided a tailgate and float in the Homecoming parade, volunteered at Trunk or Treat, planted a tree and dedicated a plaque at the KRHS entrance, served drinks and snacks at the fall sports banquet, and took gifts and sang Christmas carols at the Villas at Suffield Meadows retirement home. Students who are interested in finding out more about the club should see Mr. Frazier for details.