In early March, students in ETHS’ Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter competed at the state competition in Rosemont, Illinois. ETHS won first place in several events, including Franchise Business Plan, Hospitality & Tourism Operations and Community Awareness Project. There were also various other events in which ETHS placed in the top five in Illinois.
Out of the 2,000 students who competed at State, 16 out of 35 ETHS students qualified for the international competition.
According to junior Jesse Dush-Hart, ETHS was well-prepared for the competition at State. Dush-Hart scored 1st in Automotive Services Marketing and 3rd in the Start-Up Business Plan category. He believes what he is learning now could be useful if he decides to go into business in the future.
“I like business, marketing and things of that nature, and I feel like I’m learning a lot about how the marketing industry and world work,” said Dush-Hart.
To prepare for competitions, DECA members tackle practice problems and complete tests on various business topics. They also work on business role-play scenarios and projects.
ETHS teachers Miten Patel, Chris Manila and Jenny Jacobi run, organize and coach the team.
“The ETHS students in DECA work incredibly hard,” said Patel, “They push through the tough times and are consistently honing their DECA skills.”
DECA students started getting ready for State at the very beginning of the school year. The international competition will take place in Orlando, and ETHS’ qualifiers will compete against thousands of students from around the world.
Patel says that ETHS’ success was not just good luck, but dedication and hard work.
“In the beginning, there is some discouragement, but [students] always break through,” said Patel, “The students we work with have grit,” he said.
When Ellie Newmark joined DECA, all she knew was that she had a passion for entrepreneurship. Now a senior, Newmark attributes much of her success in and outside of school to her experience at DECA.
“I have grown so much,” said Newmark, “I have learned how to properly speak in a professional way and how to carry myself with confidence,” she said.
Newmark is counting down the days until the international competition.
“I am very excited to be attending Internationals and to see how we do in relation to the other competitors,” said Newmark.
For now, Dush-Hart, Newmark and the other DECA members will be busy with preparation.
“At this stage of the DECA season, students are getting ready for the international competition in the same way they prepared for the state competition,” said Patel, “Rinse and repeat. Practice. Practice. Practice.”
