HAVERHILL — Superintendent Maureen Lynch is pleased to share that five Whittier Tech Business Technology and Marketing students are advancing to the DECA State Conference after winning district-level competitions against other Massachusetts schools in accounting, hospitality, entrepreneurship and finance hosted at Merrimack College earlier this year.
Students networked with other business students and leaders who judge the competitions, as well as representatives from colleges who encouraged them to advance their business education while continuing with DECA.
“This is our fourth year competing in DECA and I have seen tremendous growth from our students who participate,” said Amanda Crosby, Business and Technology Instructor. “DECA requires an extra level of dedication, so whether they choose to compete in role plays or written events, it requires a lot of maturity and goal setting.”
The DECA State Conference will be held in Boston on Feb. 27-29
Whittier students who will represent the school are:
Senior Emely Silvestre, of Haverhill, in the Accounting Applications category: For role playing a business plan or solution to a problem presented using 21st century skills. Silvestre is provided key performance indicators that she must address before meeting with a judge to discuss her proposed solution. She will also complete a 100-question test on accounting practices.
Junior Jelena Valentin, of Haverhill, and sophomore Anne Jacques, of Haverhill, in the Community Giving Project: For planning and hosting a cheerleading clinic for elementary school students.
Junior Caelyn Waite, of Merrimac, and senior John Zywiak, of Newbury, for an Innovation Plan Project: For creating a GPS tracking sticker to put on phones, water bottles and computers, and a business plan they presented as if they were trying to convince a capitalist to invest in their product.
“It was a lot of work to do the research to make sure all of the information lined up to properly express the product,” Waite said. “Competing is really nerve-wracking, but it’s exciting to meet a bunch of new people who understand the things you are learning. It’s all students who know what you know about business and technology.”
DECA (formerly known as Distributive Education Clubs of America) prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in in high schools and colleges around the world.
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