Local DECA members compete at career development conference

NEVADA, Mo. -- Students of the Nevada Regional Technical Center Chapter of Missouri DECA: An Association of Marketing Students joined more than 15,000 high school marketing students at the annual international career development conference held April 28-May 2 at Orlando, Fla. Nevada students receiving recognition of individual ability and Awards of Excellence were Kaitlyn Lamb and Jessica Long. They competed in the team event of Buying and Merchandising Management by completing a 100 question written exam and role-playing event. The Awards of Excellence recognizes top performers who have placed within the top 20 percent for their event out of at least 250 teams who qualified. DECA competitive events are designed to contribute to the development of competencies needed for careers in marketing, management and merchandising, to motivate students to assume responsibility for self-improvement and self-discipline, to assist students in acquiring a realistic self-concept through individual and group activities and to provide visibility for the educational goals and objectives of marketing education. DECA is the only international organization specifically designed to reinforce the occupational competencies of high school students who wish to pursue a career in marketing, merchandising, or management. More than 180,000 students from the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rice the Virgin Islands and Germany are involved in this organization. Local DECA advisor, Martha Cubbage, accompanied Kaitlyn and Jessica on their trip. Submitted photo.