DECA Students Earn District Championships, Advance to State

Congratulations to the 28 outstanding DECA students who earned District Champion honors and qualified for the DECA State Competition after competing against more than 2,300 students from 48 schools at the District Conference.

Students will now advance to the State level, where they will continue strengthening their business knowledge and professional skills through rigorous exams and competitive role‑play performances. State qualifiers will have the opportunity to advance to DECA’s International Career Development Conference, to be held this April in Atlanta, Georgia.

The following students qualified as District Champions in their respective competitive events and are moving on to the State Competition:

• Lily G. (RHS, 10th) – Principles of Business Management and Administration
• Noah O. (RHS, 10th) – Principles of Business Management and Administration
• Ethan A. (RHS, 12th) – Principles of Entrepreneurship
• Amaey K. (RHS, 11th) – Principles of Entrepreneurship
• Jack M. (RHS, 12th) – Principles of Finance
• Casey G. (RHS, 11th) – Principles of Marketing
• Joshua C. (RHS, 11th) – Accounting Applications Series
• Aerin P. (RHS, 10th) – Personal Finance Literacy Event
• Mia F. (RHS, 12th) – Automotive Services Marketing Series
• Matthew M. (RHS, 12th) – Automotive Services Marketing Series
• Carter B. (RHHS, 12th) – Business Services Marketing Series
• Megan S. (RHS, 11th) – Business Services Marketing Series
• Hannah K. (RHS, 10th) – Business Services Marketing Series
• Leilanni C. (RHS, 11th) – Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making
• Emily K. (RHS, 11th) – Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making
• Nolan S. (RHS, 12th) – Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making
• Marely V. (RHHS, 11th) – Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making
• Madison M. (RHHS, 12th) – Food Marketing Series
• Addison Y. (RHHS, 12th) – Food Marketing Series
• Saydee B. (RHHS, 12th) – Marketing Communications Series
• Madison H. (RHHS, 12th) – Marketing Communications Series
• Kelly S. (RHS, 12th) – Marketing Communications Series
• Katelyn B. (RHS, 12th) – Marketing Management Team Decision Making
• Isabelle K. (RHS, 12th) – Marketing Management Team Decision Making
• Maddie H. (RHHS, 11th) – Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series
• Mahtab K. (RHS, 12th) – Restaurant and Food Service Management Series
• Michelle G. (RHHS, 12th) – Retail Merchandising Series
• Jackson A. (RHS, 10th) – Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series

The Rockwall ISD DECA program is led by advisors Dori Brown, Alisha Bridges, and April Deats at the Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy.

“DECA has been life‑changing, helping us build lasting professional relationships with peers and competitors,” said DECA Vice Presidents and Rockwall High School seniors Ethan Galicia and Katelyn Bui. “Competing at this caliber allows us to apply real‑world knowledge while growing as confident, capable leaders.”

DECA President Carter Brown, RHHS senior, expressed appreciation for the community partners who make these opportunities possible. “Thank you to Rockwall Ford, Rayburn Electric Cooperative, Lacy Deckard with Ebby Halliday, and Alliance Bank for your partnership and support of our competition efforts and professional experiences.”

The DECA program continues to provide students with valuable career preparation, leadership development, and real‑world business experience as they strive for excellence on the state and international stage.