Jan. 20, 2016
Taking Their Talents to the Ozarks
by THS Media Gregory Miranda
Like Youth Entrepreneurs, DECA is another branch of Marketing where students prepare for different aspects of entrepreneurship and business.
On Feb. 18, The Independence Center hosted DECA Districts where students from all around the greater Kansas City area participated in many events along the lines of Administration, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism.
There are two type of events: written event or role play. In the written event a single individual or a small group presents a written business plan or pitch to a panel of judges. In role play, based on which division you are under an individual or small group are given a prompt they have not seen prior to the event and have 10 minutes to brainstorm the best possible solution to the problem given. As well as a 100 question quiz over their topic which contributes to their overall score.
“My event topic was Business Law and Ethics, where we decided whether or not a company should compromise it's ethical values in order to sell in a new country,” said DECA President and junior Savannah Hawley. “We decided that companies shouldn't compromise morals and risk potentially lose loyal customers and put pressure on the other company to change their requirements gaining new customers in new markets. It’s a win win.”
Out of the 20 students who participated in DECA Districts, four students are headed to the Lake of the Ozarks where The Four Seasons Lodge will host the state competition during March 13-15 in hopes to win many trophies, accolades and even cash prizes.
Junior Savannah Hawley and sophomore Shelby Fordham are going to state for Team Decision Making under the Business Law and Ethics category, sophomore Lorinda Ruz for Principals under the Business Administration category and senior Samantha Ruiz for an Individual Series Event under the Sports and Entertainment category.
“It’s exciting to move on to state,” sophomore Lorinda Ruz said. “It’s also exciting to get the opportunity to put my name out there, I need to prepare even harder to keep up with the competition.”
Even for those who did not make it to state DECA Districts and DECA in general is a valuable experience regardless of the accolades.
“DECA is for your future. Which is why it's best to start young, you won't win everything at first but the experience is priceless,” senior Raymond Brown III said. “It will help you with inductive reasoning, public speaking and team decision making all of which you will use at least once in your lifetime.”
On Feb. 18, The Independence Center hosted DECA Districts where students from all around the greater Kansas City area participated in many events along the lines of Administration, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism.
There are two type of events: written event or role play. In the written event a single individual or a small group presents a written business plan or pitch to a panel of judges. In role play, based on which division you are under an individual or small group are given a prompt they have not seen prior to the event and have 10 minutes to brainstorm the best possible solution to the problem given. As well as a 100 question quiz over their topic which contributes to their overall score.
“My event topic was Business Law and Ethics, where we decided whether or not a company should compromise it's ethical values in order to sell in a new country,” said DECA President and junior Savannah Hawley. “We decided that companies shouldn't compromise morals and risk potentially lose loyal customers and put pressure on the other company to change their requirements gaining new customers in new markets. It’s a win win.”
Out of the 20 students who participated in DECA Districts, four students are headed to the Lake of the Ozarks where The Four Seasons Lodge will host the state competition during March 13-15 in hopes to win many trophies, accolades and even cash prizes.
Junior Savannah Hawley and sophomore Shelby Fordham are going to state for Team Decision Making under the Business Law and Ethics category, sophomore Lorinda Ruz for Principals under the Business Administration category and senior Samantha Ruiz for an Individual Series Event under the Sports and Entertainment category.
“It’s exciting to move on to state,” sophomore Lorinda Ruz said. “It’s also exciting to get the opportunity to put my name out there, I need to prepare even harder to keep up with the competition.”
Even for those who did not make it to state DECA Districts and DECA in general is a valuable experience regardless of the accolades.
“DECA is for your future. Which is why it's best to start young, you won't win everything at first but the experience is priceless,” senior Raymond Brown III said. “It will help you with inductive reasoning, public speaking and team decision making all of which you will use at least once in your lifetime.”