Contributed by School District of Rhinelander

DECA district competition was held recently in Wisconsin Rapids. Twenty-five Rhinelander students competed against approximately 500 other students in the North-Central region of Wisconsin in numerous business-related fields.

There are four cluster categories that DECA competitions include. Students participate in marketing, finance, hospitality or management. Within those clusters there are more specific events that deal with a more specific career field in that cluster. For example an accounting event would fall under the finance cluster. Competitors studied throughout the month of December and attended study sessions in effort to get the highest score they could. The score is made up of the economics test, a career cluster test, and two role plays.

The economics test was taken before students went to Wisconsin Rapids and included a variety of 100 questions. Students have the opportunity to medal in the economics test, in addition to their event. Once at Rapids, students first took a career cluster test that related to the general event they were competing in (marketing, finance, hospitality, or management).  For the other half of their score, students were given a ‘real-life’ situation/role play which they had to try to work out in front of a judge, who often plays the part of a complaining customer, a business partner, or an employee.

Of the 25 students that competed at regionals, five individuals and four teams of two were awarded with a medal or plaque. The team of Valerie Dalka and Carmen Ibarra took first in their event, Hospitality Team Decision Making. Dalka and Ibarra earned two medals, and both also took home a medal for the economics test.

Abbey Henrichs and Gwyneth Lowry placed second in their event, and each took home two medals. Henrichs also medaled in the economics test.

Abigail Krueger finished third in Hotel and Lodging and also earned three medals plus a medal for the economics test. Kendra Durkee and Izzy Haverkamp finished third in Hotel and Lodging and brought back two medals

Several Rhinelander students also had some Overall Series Finalists (OSF), meaning they placed between fourth and tenth in their events. Emma Wendt was an OSF in Automotive Services Marketing and also received a medal for her performance in a role play. Makenzie Denny was also awarded a medal for one of her role plays and her cluster test, as well as being an OSF in Principles of Marketing. Grace Heck and Hunter Hicks were Overall Series Finalists in Marketing Management Team Decision Making, and received a medal for their cluster test. Daisy Ortiz received a medal for the economics test. Alexis Denny competed in Human Resources and also earned a medal for one of her role plays.

Sixteen Rhinelander students will be going to state competition in Lake Geneva in March. Anyone interested in providing financial assistance for the trip, and for more information, contact adviser Mischell Fryar at 715-365-9500.