DECA, also known as the Distributive Education Clubs of America, is a national organization that provides learning opportunities for high school students around the United States interested in the business fields through numerous conferences. Increasing in participants each year, students take part in various tests and challenges to further their professional education at these conferences. 

This past December, 34 Hill students advanced to the state-wide competition to be held from February 21st to February 23rd in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The qualifying students competed in various categories focusing on principles of marketing, entrepreneurship, and business finance. Since 2011, Hill students have annually engaged in DECA, and they typically have succeeded past the district competition.  

“The 250,000 students who participate in DECA nationally gain valuable practice and experience speaking on scenarios in front of judges who work in those actual areas of business.” Christopher Delucia, Herbert B. Finnegan Mémorial Chair of World Languages and faculty advisor to DECA, commented.  

While there are an immense number of students taking part in DECA, only a specific few reach the higher and more selective competitions. Out of the many participants, 34 Hill students performed so strongly. The many hours of preparation contributed to the success of these hard-working students, which caused them to stand out. Strategies were discussed throughout several DECA meetings with both students and faculty advisers in attendance; however, there are other aspects of planning that helped benefit the achievement of Hill’s DECA participants.  

“There is a great deal of logistical planning involved, from registration of DECA to signing up for events, to planning transportation, hotel, meals, rooming, collecting payments, and so forth,” DeLucia explained. DeLucia credits Dawn Norman, another DECA faculty adviser, with carrying out these important tasks. 

Overall, DECA is a unique learning experience that influences worthy team building, quick-thinking, and analyzation skills. “Since I was interested in business, my mom was the one who recommended I join DECA. I learned to quickly think on my feet and to talk with confidence, even when discussing difficult topics,” Addie Beckey ’26, one of the students proceeding to the Pennsylvania DECA State Career Development Conference shared. Beckey, along with others, will continue studying for the human resources management exam and practice their role-plays as the state competition approaches.