SBHS DECA Attends Atlantic City Conference
- Viking Vibe Staff
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
by Gabby Seno (28’)
The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) New Jersey State Career Development Conference took place on March 4. The conference was held in Harrah’s Atlantic City where students from all over New Jersey gathered for a chance at the final level of competition: Internationals. Over the span of three days, students worked their hardest to perform in the best way possible.
Club advisor and technology coordinator Mr. Joseph Persichetti said, “Planning and preparing with Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Morris, the chaperones, and NJ DECA to create a three day conference in Atlantic City was something I will never forget!”
DECA is aimed toward students interested in pursuing business-related careers. Through its competitive events program, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and get a feel for what a career in business would be like. DECA helps students grow and expand on skills that will help them in their future.
Senior David Farber felt inspired by one of his teachers to join DECA. He felt grateful to have joined in his freshman year and was able to learn many new skills.
Farber said, “[DECA] truly did make me into a better person through speaking, improved confidence, and thinking on the spot.”
The competitive events program has Regional, State, and International levels. Back in January, the DECA Regional Conference took place to determine which students could qualify for States. Every DECA member was required to compete and about 100 made it through to States.
The competition allows for students to work independently or with a team. The requirements for students depend on which event they choose to compete in. Individual series events require students to perform two roleplays. Roleplays are when students are given a fake scenario and must play the role of a business person. They are given a problem and ten minutes to prepare a solution. They then have ten minutes to present their ideas to a judge. Team decision making events allow for two people to collaborate. They have a 30 minute case study and 15 minutes to present to a judge.
Scores are made up of more than what’s on paper. Students are expected to present themselves in a professional manner before the judges and throughout the whole competition. This includes adhering to the dress code, communicating with confidence and fluency, having proper body language, and more. Many SBHS students who complied with these rules and performed exceptionally obtained high scores and gained the ability to compete at the International level.
Mr. Persichetti said, “I am so proud of our student accomplishments, many of whom will continue to compete in Orlando, Florida! They were well coached by our upperclassmen and officers, and their preparation and persistence paid off.”
Competition will get tougher as students compete at the highest level. The International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is scheduled for April 26 in Orlando, Florida.
Farber was one of the students who advanced to the International level of competition.
He said, “I’m so excited to finally be able to go to ICDC and I feel like this is a long time coming because my progression hasn’t been linear since I wasn’t able to participate sophomore year.”
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