Twenty-eight Lakes DECA students earned awards at competition and 19 qualified for the state tournament.
Fifty-seven students from Lakes High School‘s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) participated in the Area 7 Leadership Development Competition in Puyallup Jan. 15. Out of more than 300 students in Western Washington, 28 Lakes students earned awards–the highest number of awards received by area high schools. Nineteen students placed in the top seven of their division, which qualified them for the state competition this March in Bellevue. Nine of the qualifying students are first year DECA members.
One first year DECA student is sophomore Chanel Washington (left), 15, earned the top spot in the Business Services Division. At competition, Washington was given a real-life scenario to role play for a judge and had 10 minutes to create a marketing plan and design a visual aid, which she then presented. Competitors were judged by volunteers who are experienced professionals in their event categories. The judges rated the students’ ability to present themselves as business professionals and provide a convincing recommendation in response to an assigned business situation.
“I was really nervous, but felt confident and prepared,” said Washington. “Joining DECA has been a great experience for me and I have learned a lot so far.”
“DECA competitions allow students to explore their own career aspirations and learn how businesses work,” said Kitti Wheeler, a Lakes teacher and DECA co-advisor. “Students develop speaking skills and poise and perfect their leadership tools for the future.”
Washington felt such a connection to the work of DECA that she plans to campaign for Washington State DECA president this fall. Once that goal is attained, Washington has her eyes on a spot in the DECA National Office.
It’s no doubt that Washington is a high-achiever‚Äîin addition to DECA, she is a member of the Knowledge Bowl, an Ignite Mentor and is the sophomore class president. When asked what she plans to do after graduation, Washington didn’t bat an eye as she explained that she plans to attend Harvard, then Harvard Law and have a career as a corporate lawyer.
Washington, like her other DECA classmates, is already preparing for the state competition this fall.
“We are so proud of all our students,” said Todd Pehowski, Lakes teacher and DECA co-advisor. “These competitions allow them to show off the great things that they are doing here at Lakes and they deserve all the recognition they received. State competition, here we come!”
Lakes’ Area 7 DECA Winners
Accounting
Lirra Zullo, sixth-place
Apparel and accessories
Susanna Kropelnicki, first-place
Thomas Gaffney, second-place
Jessica Saugen, fifth-place
Alexis McGowen, sixth-place
Automotive Services
Tucker McDowell
Business Services
Chanel Washington, first-place
Cameron Boyd, second-place
Marketing Management
Sam Battersby, second-place
Food Service
Jane Lee, sixth-place
Hotel and Lodging
Miquel Espino, sixth-place
Quick Serve
Sherese Gamble, sixth-place
Retail Merchandising
Myra Questel, first-place
Maili Dellinger, fourth-place
Kayla Smith, sixth-place
Restaurant and Food Service
Angela Jong, first-place
Rio Marquez-Hammitt, second-place
Jeff Munsey, fifth-place
Jill Fudge, sixth-place
Jack Hemion
Dylan Heussman
Sports Entertainment
Chelsea Brown, seventh-place
Ian Malm
Jerrod Bennett
Sports Team Event
Nick Brooks & Kyle Gaintner