The DECA students went to Tucson on Feb. 26, and for three days, they competed in the Career Development Competition. They won two state awards titled the Platinum Club Award and the Century Club Award. The three national awards include the Campaign Award, Membership Award, and the Outreach Award.
Perry sent 41 students to the competition, with 11 finalists including five returning competitors. The five included senior Brianna Parisian in her third year, junior Chandler Hays in his first year, junior Matthew Laird in his third year, junior Madison Randall in her third year, and sophomore CJ Parisian in his first year. Additionally, the Perry chapter also earned 12 leadership slots for the International DECA competition in Anaheim, Calif.
“Everyone that makes it for competition puts in all the extra work as far as getting stuff done,” Rob Lange, the DECA teacher continued, “all of [the competitors] came for extra help in roleplay.”
Hours of preparation went into training for a 100 question written test about job scenarios and practicing role play. The event they participated in involved a business scenario in which they had to role play to portray themselves as successful business officials.
For individual awards, which are given to the highest scoring participants for their tests and roleplay, C. Parisian received third, Hays received fourth, and B. Parisian received fifth. As a pair, Laird and Randall role played in the buying and merchandising event and received fifth.
Hayes participated in an event that involved him role playing as a fast-food manager and received fourth place out of approximately 70 competitors from different schools. “I went to one workshop, where [the speaker] talked about entrepreneurship and giving a good sales pitch,” he said.
While waiting for their scheduled event, the competitors got to experience workshops in which they learned many things about business and marketing, such as providing goods and services effectively. However, there was also a State Officer election happening during the competition.
Ameliz Price-Dominguez, a junior, became the first Perry student to be an Ariz. DECA State Officer after rigorously campaigning for two days.
“I had to shake a lot of hands,” Price-Dominguez joked. “I feel honored. [My team] is the reason that I won, hands down.”