Why Students Should Join DECA
Some students wait until college to start building their future. Others start now. DECA gives high school students the opportunity to build real skills, lasting confidence, and meaningful connections that go beyond the classroom. In DECA, students are not just learning the concepts, they are applying them into realistic scenarios that go with real business situations. Members are able to gain hands-on experience that prepares them for college and/or future careers in a way traditional classes often can not.
A Place to Build Confidence / Communication Skills
Students are challenged to think quickly, present ideas clearly, and speak with professionalism. Whether they’re preparing a role-play, pitching a solution, or answering judges’ questions, members learn how to communicate under pressure. This strengthens their critical thinking skills, time management, and the ability to adapt in high stress situations. Over time, students begin to notice growth in not only their business knowledge, but also their overall confidence and maturity.
Relationships and Connections That Last
Athena Chui and Rafal Grabowski interviewed the future 2026-2027 Pennsylvania DECA State President Angelina Li. She emphasized the relationships she built through DECA were one of the most valuable parts of her experience. She talked about meeting students from across the state/country, connecting with advisors/mentors, and forming friendships that made conferences and competitions unforgettable. These connections often turn into networking opportunities and future support systems.
A Memorable and Fun High School Experience
Beyond the skills and competitions, DECA is simply fun. Conferences, travel, workshops, and team bonding create some of the best memories of high school. Students often say DECA is the highlight of their year because it combines learning with excitement, challenge, and community. The experience of working, competing, and celebrating accomplishments together builds a strong sense of unity within the school. For many members, DECA becomes more than just a club, it is a crucial part of their high school journey and a guide towards their career.
Understanding the Different Levels of Competition
Advancing through the different levels of competition stands as one of the most exciting parts of DECA. Each level (Districts, States, and ICDC) introduces a new environment with higher expectations. As students progress, the competition intensifies, professionalism increases, as well as preparation becomes more strategic.
Districts – Where it all Begins
For many members, Districts mark their first DECA competition. The atmosphere is energetic yet supportive, allowing students to understand the event structure while also gaining confidence in front of judges.
Students may qualify for States in two different ways. The first path includes a realistic scenario role play plus a 100 question business exam, with the combined scores determining advancement. The second option entails completing a written manual event, which involves developing a detailed business plan or project. Students who do these manuals automatically advance to the State Conference to compete.
This year, Upper Merion delivered an outstanding performance at Districts. The following competitors qualified for the State Conference.
Paimalpreet Kaur and Belem Rojas – 2nd place in BLTDM
Anja Montich and Hudson Etezady – 1st place in MTDM
Liam Derry and Ethan Burda – 1st place in STDM
Nuha Siddiqui – 1st place in AAM
Sean Rogers – 3rd place in ACT
Matt Foster – 2nd place in QSRM
Simra Siddiqui – 3rd place in RMS
Alaina Hunsberger – 1st place in RFSN
Tristian Albright – 3rd place in ASM
Avery Lukens – 3rd place in PHT
Becca Montich – 2nd place in PMK
States – A Higher Level of Competition
The State Conference brings together the top competitors from all across Pennsylvania. The environment becomes more competitive while expectations rise significantly. Judges look for strong analysis, clear communication, along with professional presentations. At Pennsylvania States in Hershey, only the top 5 manual events and top 6 role play competitors advance to ICDC, making preparation essential.
This year, Upper Merion has multiple students qualify for the International Career Development Conference:
Liam Derry and Ethan Burda- 1st place in STDM
Krishan Deepak and Maxwell Greenberg- 4th place in PMFL
Andrew Holubowsky- 5th place in PSE
Anja Montich and Hudson Etezady – 6th place in MTDM
Avery Lukens – 6th place in PHT
In addition, several members earned major recognition through Achievement Awards and state only events:
Liam Derry and Ethan Burda – Highest Roleplay A
Matthew Foster – Highest Roleplay B
Anja Motich – Highest Test
Lenix Best, Collin O’Donnell, and Steven Clark – 1st place in The Quiz Bowl
ICDC – Representing on the International Stage
The International Career Development Conference (ICDC) represents the highest level of DECA competition. Hosted this year in Atlanta, with previous locations including Orlando and Anaheim, the conference gathers the top qualifiers from across the United States in addition with international students. Over several days, students compete, attend leadership workshops, hear keynote speakers, in order to expand their professional networks.
Beyond competition, ICDC provides the opportunity to represent both school as well as state on an international stage. Competing alongside thousands of driven students demonstrates the true impact of DECA. Members meet new people from different backgrounds, exchange ideas, while building relationships that often go past high school. This makes ICDC not only a competitive achievement, but also a powerful milestone for someone that will relive the moments while gaining knowledge from it.
Once again, congratulations to everyone who qualified this year. Your dedication including commitment reflects the strength of our school to set a powerful example for future members!
If you are interested in joining DECA next year to become part of this experience, reach out to Mrs. Jennifer Stilwell at [email protected] for more information to learn about how you can get involved!
