Badger DECA members participate at Wisconsin DECA State Career Development Conference
Thirty students from Badger High School competed at the Wisconsin DECA State Career Development Conference on February 26 - 28th. DECA members traveled to Grand Geneva Resort to compete in 28 occupational series events and prepare written project presentations. Over 1,400 students from Wisconsin participated in this conference.
Fifteen Badger DECA members were recognized on stage by earning medals in either their 100-question cluster test, one of the two role-play events in their event category, or a top ten finalist medal. Our chapter members captured 33 individual medals. Ten members earned a champion medal for placing first through tenth place in their event.
The following students earned a spot to compete at the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California, from April 26- April 30:
Finn Gerard
Financial Consulting - 1st place
Economics Excellence - 4th place
Personal Financial Literacy - 1st place
Marissa Bergstrom
Entrepreneurship Independent Business Plan - 4th place
Sam Polyock
Professional Selling Event - 9th place
Linus Eveland
Financial Consulting - 7th place
Ally Weber
School-Based Enterprise - Food - Gold
Isabella Gould
Entrepreneurship Startup Business Plan - 2nd place
Ella Coltman
Entrepreneurship Startup Business Plan - 4th place
Maryn Jarvis
Entrepreneurship Startup Business Plan - 4th place
Ady Houtakker
Food Marketing Series - 7th place
Christian Polkow
Marketing Communications - 2nd place
Entrepreneurship Startup Business Plan - 4th place
Zoe Sheeks
Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan - 4th place
Abby Wolleager
Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling - 7th place
Will Payne
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Buying and Merchandising Operations Research - 8th place
“We are very proud of ALL the DECA members who attended this great event,” said advisor Phil Huff. The International Career Development Conference will be held April 26-30 in Anaheim, California. “Please congratulate these students on their fine work if you see them. Go Badgers!” Huff said.
Participants in the 2024 DECA State Conference (front row, L-R): Abby Wolleager, Ava Pether, Marissa Bergstrom, Talulah Nast, Jami Smith, Ally Weber (second row, L-R): Brooklyn Flies, Ella Coltman, Maisie Hale, Kailey Benson, Paige McGrath, Callahan Coyne (third row, L-R): Isabella Gould, Maryn Jarvis, Lilly Butinas, Ady Houtakker, Zoe Sheeks, Claire Howe (fourth row, L-R): Carter Johnson, Patrick Hiffman, Christian Polkow, Linus Eveland, Sam Polyock (back row, L-R): Finn Gerard, Brandon Hall, Rex Chapman, Will Payne, Thomas Hiffman, Jonny Klug, Dom Maniscalco
There are hundreds of Wisconsin DECA Advisors around the state, and each year at the DECA State Conference, a few of them are honored with an award affectionately called the Red Apple Advisor Award. This is given to advisors who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to students at the local level. In her third year at Badger and as DECA Advisor, Kyong Pyun was selected along with a few other advisors for the 2023-2024 Red Apple Advisor Award.
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Contact Phil Huff or Kyong Pyun, Badger DECA Advisors, at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information about Badger DECA. Additional resources can be found at wideca.org.