In January, DECA Inc. announced that the Saline County Career Center DECA Chapter earned “Thrive” status for the third year in a row. The purpose of these campaigns is to help a chapter develop a program of work and build lasting partnerships within the school and community. The chapter completed the promotional, community-service and membership campaigns this year.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. This year, students will compete in a variety of events for a chance to represent their district at the State Career Development Conference, which will be held in March.

This year, 14 Saline County Career Center DECA students will participate at district-level competition virtually throughout the week of February 16-24. During the Virtual Business Restaurant Challenge for round I & II, senior Nikole Gooden (pictured) earned first place in Missouri for both rounds.

The following Saline County Career DECA members are participating in the following categories:

Project Management Event:
-Community Service Awareness Project-Herson Renderos and Kelly Stewart (AAD Knowledge); -Community Service Giving Project-Alexia Bowlen (Women in Defense);

Start-Up Business Plan Event:
Xane Anderson-Clean Cut Lawn
Ashley Garner-Neighborhood Realty;

Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan Event:
Nikole Gooden;

Integrated Marketing Campaign-Product Event:
Omar Quintana (Magix);

Integrated Marketing Campaign-Services Event:
Lizvet Menendez and Jessica Parada (Chemistry Coffee) A-Quila Thomas (Chic Salon);

Team Role-play Event
-Entrepreneurship Team Decision Event-Herson Renderos and Omar Quintana;

Individual Role-play Events
Automotive Services Marketing-Xane Anderson; Automotive Services Marketing-Ashley Garner; Food Marketing Series-Gabriel Boatman Food Marketing Series-Bailey Kueker Human Resource Management-Nikole Gooden; Principles of Finance-Holly Huston Sports and Entertainment Marketing-Julisa Umana;

VBC Event
-First place in Missouri for the Restaurant Challenge Round I & II (Held in October and January)

*The Restaurant Track of the DECA Virtual Business Challenge encourages DECA members to test their skills at managing a simulated restaurant. Participants design menus, develop dining & kitchen layouts, organize staffing, purchase ingredients, use market research and more.