Contributions by Laura F & OOHS DECA members, class of 2022-23

This past March at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 20 students from Olentangy Orange competed at the Ohio DECA Career Development Conference {CDC} – what we often refer to as “DECA state competition.”  Members are competing to qualify for the upcoming International Career Development Conference {ICDC} in Orlando, Florida. These motivated students demonstrated their dedication to both DECA and their future business and leadership skills, giving up their own time as the event took place over a teacher work day and a Saturday. The weekend was long, but fun! 

Some students in our chapter were involved in a scavenger hunt, many networked with other DECA members from different chapters and all competed in some type of business event. Students could be found practicing and prepping all over the convention center!

Just like at the district level, students decide if they are competing alone or in teams, and participate in a role play or a written event with a prepared presentation. One returning senior, Pranjal, stated “I really enjoy the state competition because role plays are my favorite part of competing, and we get to do two role plays at this event. Another part of states is that we are surrounded by people who excelled at districts, so we can meet and connect with other students who are as passionate about DECA as we are.”

Each student competed in a preliminary round on Friday, most of which had to qualify first through our DECA District 7 competition back in January.

All OOHS state DECA qualifiers are listed below…

Isabella A – Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series

Vyom B – Automotive Services Marketing Series

Luke B + Tuckor L – Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making

Erika B – Food Marketing Series

Alex D + Dancan M + Kobe S – Innovation Plan Team

Ethan E – Entrepreneurship Series

Laura F – Business Services Series

Olivia H – Service Project Management 

Pranjal K – Apparel and Accessories Series

Yongqi L- Service Integrated Marketing Campaign

Kaden M- Principles of Finance Series

Maithreyi M- Community Awareness Project Management

Isabella M – Food Marketing Series

Ava O – Principles of Marketing Series

Larissa P – Principles of Marketing Series

Uyen P – Service Project Management

Sierra T – Principles of Business Administration and Management Series

On Saturday morning, all DECA students reported back to the Convention Center for the awards ceremony, to see if their prelim score was good enough to advance to the next round. To make it to finals, you have to place top 12 in your event. 

Orange had 11 finalists who placed top 10 in the first round, received a golden medalion and advanced to the second round! Those students included…

Luke B + Tuckor L, Erika B, Ethan E, Laura F, Olivia H + Uyen P, Pranjal K, Kaden M and Maithreyi M 

Those individuals competed again, then attended the evening GRAND AWARDS.

Of the individuals who made it to finals, Tucker L and Luke B placed 3rd in their event, qualifying for ICDC and earning a nice trophy! 

Then through other methods, nine more students punched their ticket to Orlando including…. 

Laura F, Pranjal K + Isabella M: School Based Enterprise: Retail Operations

Jessica M, Sierra T + Erika B: DECA Chapter Campaign + Thrive Leadership Academy 

Vyom B, Ethan E, Kaden M: Emerging Leader Series: Elevate

Although some students were bummed with their particular outcome, our chapter was beyond thrilled with the overall results and the number of students who qualified through to ICDC!