Continuing a three-year run, Maine West High School DECA once again had national finalists, this time at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah from April 28 through May 2.

Four Maine West teams competed in the written event competitions. A team of juniors – George Stoitzev, Cory Winiecki and John Wojcik – presented their paper to two different judges and were awarded Top 10  honors, reports West teacher and DECA sponsor Kristin Mazanowski.  They finished ahead of more than 90 teams from around the United States and Canada and were recognized on stage at the grand awards session in the arena where the Utah Jazz play.   Another team, composed of Rohit Beri, Dontae Kennedy-Harrison and Michelle Szklaruk, were given an Award of Excellence for their presentation and paper.

DECA is an international association of marketing students.  The organization’s mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.