Creek DECA chapter excels at state development conference

by Hanna Singh

Cedar Creek’s DECA chapter once again demonstrated excellence at the Louisiana DECA State Career Development Conference in Baton Rouge on February 23.

At the conference, 40 students competed against around 500 from other schools over a two-day period. Despite the large competition, Cedar Creek earned a number of student awards along with several outstanding club achievements for their hard work and professionalism.

The Louisiana DECA program focuses on preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs by offering community-oriented, professional, and academic focused opportunities for students. Their mission states that “DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.”

Hope Merchant, Cedar Creek’s Director of Development and DECA sponsor, expressed her pride in the students’ commitment.

“It is such a blessing to be able to work with such a wonderful group of young adults,” said Merchant. “Their hard work and dedication are unmatched. Being able to celebrate their accomplishments at the state conference year after year is so rewarding for me as a sponsor, and I am beyond proud of all of them.”

Of the 40 competitors from Cedar Creek, 24 students earned finalist spots, with 10 qualifying for the International Career Development Conference this April. To compete, students had to either take a test and present a role-play scenario to a judge or develop an extensive 20-page business plan or marketing campaign to be presented.

Their teamwork and dedication were recognized with multiple chapter achievements, including the Outstanding Chapter Award. They also received the Outstanding Advisor Award, which was presented to sponsors, Hope Merchant and Caty Simmons. Cedar Creek’s DECA chapter made an enormous philanthropic impact, raising more money for the DECA’s national philanthropy, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, than any other chapter in Louisiana.

The students who earned finalist spots in their categories include:

Finalists (Top 6):

Rosemary Sewell and Taylor Basham – Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making
Britton Bennett, Emma Phillips, and Ruybe Ann Walsworth – Integrated Marketing Campaign
Allie Jones and Ella Eagles – Entrepreneurship Start-Up Business Plan
James Myers – Personal Financial Literacy Event
Katherine Worthey – Apparel and Accessories Marketing
Triston Floyd – Automotive Services
Zoey Venters – Food Marketing
Aubrey Singleton – Food Marketing
Carter Lewis – Principles of Entrepreneurship
Anderson Godlewski and Carter Lewis – Virtual Business Challenge – Hotel

Finalists and ICDC Qualifiers (Top 3):

Amelia Reynolds – 1st Place, Business Operations Research Event
Anna Grace Johnson, Zoey Venters, and Mada Kneeland – 2nd Place, Community Giving Project
Anderson Godlewski and Audrey Barron – 2nd Place, Integrated Marketing Campaign
Julianne Bush – 2nd Place, Professional Selling Event
Rex Freling – 2nd Place, Marketing Communications
Nolan Martin – 1st Place, Quick Serve Restaurant Marketing
Jillian Ramsey – 3rd Place, Restaurant and Food Service Marketing
Anna Grace Johnson – 2nd Place, Retail Marketing

Test Competency Award Recipients: