JACKSON – Jackson Memorial High School’s Business Development program has been preparing students for their careers beyond graduation and proof of that came when they earned top honors at the state DECA Career Development Conference.
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
Members of the JMHS chapter of New Jersey DECA joined about 3,000 other high school students at the annual association career development conference held on February 28 thru March 2 at Harrah’s Convention Center in Atlantic City.
Through their projects JMHS DECA earned seven seats at the National Leadership Academy at ICDC. Their performance allowed them to advance as a Thrive Level Chapter to the DECA International Career Development Conference that will be held April 23-26, in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We could not be more proud of these fine young men and women who dedicated countless hours in preparation for this competition,” Laura Fecak said. She, along with Lisa Scott, serve as co-advisors for the JMHS DECA.
“In our 11 years as a chapter, this is the largest group to attend ICDC and the highest number of competitors we have ever had. It is extremely exciting for us and for these students,” Fecak added.
“Many of Jackson’s DECA students are part of the school district’s Academy of Business,” Allison Erwin, coordinator of communications and technology said.
“The maturity, skill level and communication abilities of these students are truly remarkable,” she said. She noted that in September of the current school year, student Christain Bamman won first place in the state for the SIFMA InvestWrite Essay competition.
Out of 900 students across New Jersey participating in the spring session of the virtual “Stock Market Game” two students – Luke Soriano and Jabari Lofton – took first and second place overall.
Noelle Powers won the NJ DECA State Scholarship (only one awarded in the state), Central Region Top Scholarship, and the NJ DECA Ambassador Award.
The following students received recognition of individual ability and achievement at the association level:
International Qualifiers:
- Ryan Kas – Second Place – Personal Financial Literacy
- Sujita Bomineni and Jameson Klinsky – Third Place – Start-up Business Plan
- Keira Bravo De Rueda and Shaun Hubbard – Fourth Place – Buying and Merchandising Operations Research
- Dakota Calcaterra – Sixth Place – Business Services Marketing
- Noelle Powers – Personal Financial Literacy
- Elizabeth Darrar – Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling
Top 10 Finalists:
- Moeed Raheel – International Business Plan
- Noelle Powers & Dakota Calcaterra – Business Services Operation Research
Instructional Awards Winners:
- Kyle McCaffery – First Place Role Play – Personal Financial Literacy
- Dakota Calcaterra – First Place Role Play – Business Services Marketing
- Elizabeth Darrar – First Place Presentation – Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling
- Ryan Kas – First Place Role Play – Personal Financial Literacy
State Community Service Project: Ryan Kas and Matt Olah
Chapter Activities Project: Jameson Klinsky and Kyle McCaffery
