“Everyone learned something, from how to give a firm handshake to winning first place” said Hilo High School DECA advisor Patrick Jenkins. “We studied and practiced hard and it showed in every student’s performance.” ADVERTISING “Everyone learned something, from how
“Everyone learned something, from how to give a firm handshake to winning first place” said Hilo High School DECA advisor Patrick Jenkins. “We studied and practiced hard and it showed in every student’s performance.”
Students from Hilo High’s DECA program claimed top honors at the Hawaii Career and Technical Student Organizations DECA conference Feb. 10-11 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu.
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is an international high school and collegiate association that prepares emerging business leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Competition for top rankings at the two-day event is fierce, with more than 250 Hawaii DECA students from 14 chapters in attendance. Performance is based on two major parts: role-playing events and written exam.
In the role-play portion, participants prepare an on-the-spot analysis of a business problem and are rated on how well they translate business knowledge theories into practical action. Students also take a 100-question test of proficiency in selected business subjects.
The six highest scores in each category, known as the “Top Six,” receive special honors. The top two scorers advance to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) competition April 25-28 in Orlando, Fla.
Hilo High’s Kenneth Kitahata, Justin Scharf and Dylan Giardina were Top Six in Marketing Management, with Scharf taking first and Kitahata taking second and qualifying for ICDC.
The team of Patrick Palad and Lopaka O’connor garnered Top Six and second place in Financial Services, and will advance to ICDC.
The team of Nyadean Campbell and Blair Bolema took Top Six and first place in Travel/Tourism, also qualifying for ICDC.
Fallon Jarneski earned Top Six in Retail Merchandising.
Also competing for Hilo High were Dorian Gonzalez, Dominic Degamo, Hua Uehara, and Kamalani Benito.
Visit the “Hilo High School DECA” Facebook page for more information and photos from the competition.
