34 students from the Farmingdale High School chapter of DECA traveled to Rochester last week to compete and take part in leadership workshops at the 2020 DECA State Career Conference.
DECA is a not-for-profit student organization with over 225,000 members in all 50 states and around the world. Their mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges. They were accompanied by Farmingdale business education teachers and DECA advisors Donna Wright and Jonas Viik.
“Students were tested on their knowledge of subject matter and made presentations to industry professionals to showcase their understanding and insight into a plethora of business specialties,” Viik said.
“Both the trip to Rochester and the prior regional competition were so much fun,” student Samantha Mayers said. “I wish now that I joined earlier to gain more experience. I will never forget it. We had such a great time.”
Junior Tyler Hothersall placed third in the Restaurant & Food Service Management category and qualified to compete in the International DECA Career Conference in Nashville, TN this April.
The following students also received medals for their events, all of whom placing in the top 10 for their role-playing skill:
• Sarah Shields, Retail Merchandising (Top 10 overall)
• Joseph Kessler, Professional Selling (Top 10 overall)
• Stephen Kessler, Business Finance Series
• Samantha Mayers, Hospitality & Tourism
• Grace Hungerford, Quick Service Food Management
Additionally, three students—Darius Bang, Nuo Yan Huang and Joseph Kessler were inducted into the DECA Honor Society.
“Our students represented Farmingdale in the most professional and respectful manner,” Wright said. “We are beyond proud of their participation throughout the events and so excited with our results.”
—Submitted by Cynthia Younker of Farmingdale School District
