DECA Wins State and Four go to Nationals!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

Ten Dr. Gene Burton College & Career DECA students are State Finalists and four will advance to compete at the DECA International Competition! DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

“Beyond the risk-taking attitude, quest for knowledge and the work ethic required to compete, I’m seeing these students discover, analyze, reflect upon and develop their own personal brands. Consciously working to be their best so they can give the best to others. They are our future—and it’s incredibly bright!” – DECA Advisor, Mrs. Dori Brown

Four State Finalists and International Qualifiers:

Ayden Bazan (RHS Sr.) & Hill Rukobo (RHS Sr.) – Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making

Leila Kavazi (RHS Sr.) – Marketing Communications Series

Bryxxton Ramirez (RHHS Sr.) – Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series

Six State Finalists and International Alternates:

Kayla James (RHHS Sr.) – Entrepreneurship Series

Tyler Burpee (RHHS Sr.) – Entrepreneurship Series

Meghan McGriff (RHHS Jr.) – Principles of Marketing

Amir Rabah (RHHS Sr.) – Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series

Rich McDermott (RHS Sr.) & Lillian “Lilly” Cardenas (RHS Jr.) – Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making

The four International Qualifiers will now work to improve their business marketing knowledge (for exam) and role-play performances to be presented to a judge at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). ICDC will be held in Nashville, TN, April 28-May 3, 2020.

DECA members would like to thank the financial and personal support received from Rockwall Ford, Alliance Bank, Premier Properties Group, Rockwall HS PTA and Rockwall-Heath HS PTA. As judges, mentors and community partners, student lives are impacted with each experience.

Pictured left-to-right: Rich McDermott, Lilly Cardenas, Meghan McGriff, Bryxxton Ramirez, Leila Kavazi, Ayden Bazan, Hill Rukobo, Kayla James, Tyler Burpee, Amir Rabah