CHS DECA Students Place at State Competition

Submitted by DECA Sponsor Cindy Dykes

    At the State DECA Conference, students took tests, conducted role play scenarios, and did presentations of research projects to business people in the industry of their event.  Before now, Central DECA students had not competed since 2004. It was our first year competing, and the students did a magnificent job and surpassed all expectations. A total of 24 students attended, ranging from 9th to 12th graders, with some enrolled in their first marketing course.

    We hope that many of these Central High business students will be able to represent CHS and the state of Louisiana at the upcoming DECA International Career Development Conference  (ICDC) in Orlando in April where they will compete against the finest from each state, US territories and foreign countries.  We expect over 15,000 students to be in attendance at the ICDC.

The following students placed at the conference:
Apparel and Accessories Marketing: Taryn Dixon- Finalist
Business Services Marketing Research Team: Lucas Hopkins- 1st
Business Services Marketing Research Team: Aaron Smith- 1st
Buying & Merchandising Team Decision Making Team: Ashley Hurst- Finalist
Buying & Merchandising Team Decision Making Team: Taylor Johnson- Finalist
Community Service Project (team): Marika Cole- 3rd
Community Service Project (team): Jaymie Fabre- 3rd
Community Service Project (team): Tifani Guillory- 3rd
Entrepreneurship Written Event (team): Branden Baker- 1st
Entrepreneurship Written Event (team): Benjamin Curry- 1st
Entrepreneurship Written Event (team): Connor Morgan- 1st
Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan (team): Jennifer Cottano- 2nd
Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan (team): Adrienne Crumholt- 2nd
Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan (team): Caroline Runnels- 2nd
Food Marketing Series: Jennifer Cottano- 3rd
Hospitality Services Team Decision Making Team: Angela White- 3rd
Hospitality Services Team Decision Making Team: Gabrielle Williams- 3rd
Marketing Communications Team Decision Making: Tifani Guillory- 1st
Marketing Communications Team Decision Making: Bobby Roach- 1st
Marketing Communications Team Decision Making: Hillary Washington- Finalist
Marketing Communications Team Decision Making: Da’Jah Williams- Finalist
Principles of Business Management & Administration: Matthew Thibodeaux- 1st
Principles of Marketing: Jaymie Fabre- 2nd
Principles of Marketing: Marika Cole- 1st
Restaurant & Food Service Management: Gabrielle Williams- Finalist
Retail Merchandising Series: Adrienne Crumholt- 1st
Sports & Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making: Branden Baker- 3rd
Sports & Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making: Benjamin Curry- 3rd
Travel & Tourism Marketing Team Decision Making: Rebecca Jelley- Finalist
Travel & Tourism Marketing Team Decision Making: Mariah Miller- Finalist

These students received a scholarship from Johnson & Wales University, ranging from $500-$1000: Adrienne Crumholt, Angela White, & Gabrielle Williams.

DECA students and Ms. Dykes would like to thank all who helped make this experience possible and rewarding by showing support, providing guidance, and allowing students to have the opportunity to attend and participate.