Sylvan Hills students in DECA traveled to Hot Springs to compete in the DECA state competition.

The group saw success bringing home a total of 11 DECA medals, 6 DECA glass awards, 7 Virtual Business Challenge 1st in state awards, and one of only two Arkansas Association for Marketing Education Teachers Scholarships in the entire state.

Multiple students are heading to compete in Atlanta in April for ICDC competition. Those students are Morgan Perry (Finished 1st), Alyssa Calahi (3rd Place), Kenyon Holt (3rd Place), Landon Stockton (3rd Place), Bella Osborne (3rd Place), Haley Belin (3rd Place).

The alternatives for the competition are Paul Masel (4th Place), Zoey Weeks (4th Place), Cooper Springer (4th Place), Kaden Ardison (5th Place), Faye White (6th Place).

Senior, Morgan Perry received the AAMET scholarship and she was one of only two people in the whole state who was a recipient.

Perry described receiving the scholarship as exciting and meaningful. “It felt rewarding to see my hard work recognized and to know that the effort I put into DECA extended beyond just competition results.” Perry said.

Students also competed in the DECA virtual business challenge and many students finished 1st place in their respective challenge that they chose. Peyton Thompson placed 1st in state in boths round one and two of the Fashion challenge. Josiel Galvan placed 1st place in the state both rounds of the Hotel challenge. Nash Nelson placed 1st place in both rounds of the retail challenge.

For those who may be unfamiliar with DECA, Perry described what exactly DECA is and what the group does during competition. Perry said that DECA competition is designed to simulate real world  business situations. Perry also notes that most events give the competitors a scenario within business that they only have a short time to prepare for and present to the judges.