On January 12, 2022 the DECA district competition was held at Apple Blossom Mall in Winchester. DECA is a club that focuses on preparing students to become leaders, and connect the business skills they learn in school to the real world. The club is centered around marketing, finance, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and management. Eight students in DECA from Kettle Run had signed up for the competition, and were scheduled for various times throughout the day. 

When you compete, there are several different business categories you can choose from. If you place top four in districts for your category, then you continue on to the state competition. This year states are being held March 4-6th at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

DECA competitions consist of a real-life scenario, and a multiple choice test. You take the test about a month before the actual competition. The test factors into your score, but the roleplay scenario is worth more. The actual competition day is when you do the roleplay. You are given a prompt of a business scenario related to your category, and ten minutes to take notes. When your time is up, you are seated one on one with a judge, and you begin the roleplay. Interacting well with the judge is critical for your overall success. 

At the end of the competition, awards are announced. Out of the eight students representing Kettle Run, seven placed and can continue to states. Those students and their respective categories are: Kaley Frazier, placing second in entrepreneurship. Mandy Holmes, who placed third in principles of marketing. Kenison McEwen, taking third place in food marketing services. Kevin Riley, who took third place in principles of finance. Matthew Fuerlinger, placing fourth in sports and entertainment marketing. Cecelia Wise, who placed fourth in hotel and lodging management series. Lastly is Emilee Hitt, who took fourth place in restaurant and foodservice management. 

We wish them all the best of luck next month when they travel to Virginia Beach to represent Kettle Run!