Over 20 students from the Fort Osage and Entrepreneurial Studies DECA Chapters qualified to compete at the State Competition after rigorous preparation. Students in grades 9 through 12 competed with others from around the Kansas City metro at Independence Center in categories like Hospitality & Tourism Operations Research, Automotive Services Marketing and Financial Consulting.
Fort Osage senior Alex Deke has competed at DECA Districts and qualified for State every year since his freshman marketing class at the Career & Technology Center. This year he and his DECA partner, Jared Larson, achieved three awards, including first place in Sports Entertainment Operations Research. “At first I was a little nervous, but now I’m just ready to compete,” Alex shared in a recent interview. “I’m hoping to take home my first State trophy. We’ve been practicing for hours after school. I’m determined to go to Nationals this year.”
The DECA State Competition will take place in March in downtown Kansas City. Students will have a chance to earn a spot at DECA Nationals, which will take place in April in Orlando. Congratulations to the 23 State qualifiers!
Fort Osage DECA State Qualifiers
Sarah Baggs, Kayla Turner, Isaiah Negrete, Joel Huntebrinker, Alex Deke, Jared Larson, Nicole Overbay, Destiny Calivere, Austin Grozier, Kolby Erickson, Garrett Curtis and Xavier Sturgis
Entrepreneurial Studies DECA State Qualifiers
Thomas Boyd, Cori Brungardt, Mackenzie Butler, Angelina Callaghan, Audrey Davis, Nicholas Gee, Cole Jaes, Allee Herrman, Dakoda Kenig, Jacob McCubbin, Kailyn O’Donnell, Rebecca Swartz
