DECA conference produces victors, honorees for HVS

An article by Leslie Shepard-Owsley    No Comments

Students from Lakeland and Milford high schools recently competed in the 65th annual Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) State Career Development Conference in Grand Rapids, with many walking away with either honors or the opportunity to advance to the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Fla. on April 29.

Membership in the High School Division is restricted to students with a career interest in hospitality, finance, sales and service, business administration and/or entrepreneurship.

DECA programs are co-curricular, meaning that they are based on nationally-recognized standards in one or more of the curriculum areas. DECA provides specific programs in student development and achievement that are broken down into four categories: Leadership Development, Community Service, Skill Assessment, and Academic Skill Development.

Of the 41 students from Lakeland High School who competed, 30 were victorious as state finalists or placed in the Top 10 of their division: Sarah Wagner, Taryn Lintol, Shelby Long, Tyler Shubitowski, Megan Schultz, Bridgette Nicolay, Kaela Fyffe, Morgan Bridgewater, Ross Kynast, Alex Peck, James Chirio, Trent Norman, Travis Sawinski, Tony Edwards, Tarah Ehlert, Max Sinclair, Amanda Fields, Rachel Wrobleski, Julia Salciccioli, Ryan Carrigan, Connor Carrigan, Taylor Janssen, Alanna Nagi, Samantha Pellett, Nick Paselk, and Alex Sokoll.

Nineteen will advance to the International Competition, including: Tyler Shubitowksi, Megan Schultz, Bridgette Nicolay, Kaela Fyffe, Morgan Bridgewater, Ross Kynast, Alex Peck, Sarah Wagner, Jamie Chirio, Trent Norman, Travis Sawinski, Tony Edwards, Tarah Ehlert, Max Sinclair, Kevin Lechner, Peter Rudofski, Ryan Carrigan, Connor Carrigan, and Taylor Janssen.

Another 21 students represented Milford High School at the State Career Development Conference, nine of whom became state finalists: Rachel Hughes, Tayler Lamb, Karl Lubinski, DJ Mecsey, Sami Murad, Amelia Parenteau, Max Sergent, Kat Slaughter and Brittni Vallette.

The six Milford students who qualified to compete at the International Conference include: Juan Haskell, Matt Hoopfer, Austin James, Kathleen Kruszewski, Parker Millington and David Thornton.