Students in the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) came back from district level competition at Haltom High School in Haltom City on Saturday, Jan 17 and will be moving on to the state competition. State will take place on Feb 25 and the students on DECA will be competing against 16 other school.

“During the competitions we first take a test that is part of our final score,” senior Jordan Coff said. “The second part of the competition is a presentation in front of a judge or a panel of judges. For the sports and entertainment marketing competition we are given a scenario and then have to present a marketing plan.”

Students can choose from a variety of different events and depending on the event they choose, they may take a content test paired with a role play in front of a judge. The judge provides them a scenario in which they must use their marketing and business knowledge to pitch a solution to the problem presented. Students can also compete in written events, in which they create a marketing plan to improve an existing product or present an entrepreneurial venture they have been the innovators of.

“It’s an awesome thing to witness these creative minds pitching real world solutions to problems companies in today’s market face!” DECA sponsor Shea Bowen said.

However, DECA involve themselves in their community and are a valuable resource on campus for students. DECA has started a Go Red for Heart Disease Awareness campaign which will begin on February 2^nd.  DECA provides for the surrounding organizations in need of assistance through service hours and donations and strive to create a sense of unity in the Wolfpack with the campaign.

“DECA prepares you better for marketing in the real world if you want to have a career there in the future,” DECA president senior Logan Wright said.

DECA provides students with the opportunity to display what they have learned from their marketing courses to the test. They can present their unique ideas to marketing industry experts and truly utilize their skills. Students receive the chance to meet with executives of large companies at the competitions and establish a contact list for future work.

“For me, DECA is a club that I can express my knowledge for and learn about the business world of marketing,” Coff said.