Business students win spots in state competition

Five Business Technology and Marketing students at Whittier Tech are advancing to the DECA State Conference in Boston on February 27th - 29th after winning district-level competitions against other Massachusetts schools in accounting, hospitality, entrepreneurship and finance hosted at Merrimack College earlier this year.

“This is our fourth year competing in DECA and I have seen tremendous growth from our students that 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 requires a lot of maturity and goal setting.”

Students enjoyed networking with other business students and leaders in industry who judge the competitions and representatives from colleges that encouraged them to advance their business education while continuing with DECA. 

The projects and students who will represent Whittier are: 

Accounting Applications- Senior Emely Silvestre of Haverhill for role platying a business plan or solution to a the problem presented using 21st Century Skills. She 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. 

Community Giving Project- Junior Jelena Valentin of Haverhill and Sophomore Anne Jacques of Haverhill for planning and hosting a Cheerleading Clinic for elementary school students 

Innovation Plan Project- Junior Caelyn Waite of Merrimac and Senior John Zywiak of Newbury for creating a new product -- 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,” said Caelyn. “Competing is really nervewracking but it’s exciting to meet a bunch of new people who understand the things you are learning. It’s all students that 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 managementin in high schools and colleges around the world.