HATHORNE – Superintendent Heidi Riccio is pleased to share the success of Essex Tech DECA at the State Career Development Conference held in Boston recently.
DECA, a nonprofit business and marketing student organization, works with high schools and colleges to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.
More than 4,000 students from across the state participated in about 60 competitions. Two Essex Tech students finished among the top five in their disciplines, earning a spot at the International Career Development Conference on April 23-26 in Atlanta, Georgia:
- Shaylla Fazolo, a sophomore from Peabody, Professional Selling Event
- Gabrielle Guimaraes, a senior from Haverhill, Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling Event
Five other Essex Tech students earned recognition for finishing in the top 12 in their discipline:
- Ella Anderson, a junior from Gloucester, and Sophia and Alexia Luchini, juniors from Salem, Start Up Business Plan
- Jessica Donald, a senior from Methuen, Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
- Divanni Fernandez, a junior from Salem, Professional Selling Event
“We have watched as our students have learned and grown, both individually and as a team,” DECA Advisor Joseph Giordano said. “DECA has led them to be stronger in creativity, problem-solving, and self-direction and motivation, all critical skills they will use wherever life takes them.”
“Congratulations to Shaylla and Gabrielle. It is an honor to have two students to qualify for the International Conference,” Superintendent Riccio said. “The competition was fierce, but each our students performed well and learned many valuable lessons.”
Gabrielle Guimaraes, left, and Shaylla Fazolo will represent Essex Tech’s DECA chapter at the International Career Development Conference. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech) 
Essex Tech students Lauren Budd, Ella Anderson, Divanni Fernandez, Alana Gadbois and Sharon Kaur display the DECA Diamond, the universal hand gesture for DECA. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech) 
From left, Sophia Luchini, Ella Anderson, and Alexia Luchini participated in the Start Up Business Plan competition and finished in the top 12. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech)
