Hill’s chapter of the Distributive Education Clubs of America, also known as DECA, and the Technology Student Association are two Hill School teams that are often glossed over in our community. These two competitive, student-lead organizations have done extremely well in their seasons and have made it to the state level of their respective competitions this year. These organizations are eager to compete and will represent the Hill community with pride and expertise, as they have done thus far.

Twenty-five students are attending the state-level competition for DECA—this number having grown exponentially from 2022 when only four students qualified for nationals. DECA is a group of students with business and financial interests who compete in various problem-solving and test-style events. It allows students to experience these types of careers before they go into them. As Romil Shah ’23, an avid member of DECA puts it, “DECA is a fantastic organization that prepares students for careers in business. It offers real-world experience, leadership development, and networking opportunities. DECA competitions help us develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, while conferences and workshops provide opportunities to learn from industry professionals. It’s not just about career development though; DECA is also a lot of fun, with opportunities to make new friends and enjoy exciting events.”

The events for DECA are extremely rigorous and challenging; students must place in the top four out of as many as forty participants to move to the higher level. Members of DECA are anxious and hopeful for this upcoming competition.  “DECA has given me a one of kind opportunity to interact and make connections with students from all different backgrounds. With covid limitations lifted, I was extremely excited to participate in person at districts and states and I made incredible memories throughout my experience this year,” Josh Painter ’24 explained.

Six students advanced to the national level after placing well this past weekend.  Xander Hoishik ’24 placed fifth in Business, Communications, and Marketing. Shunji Lewondowski ’24 and Akhil Kagithapu ’24 placed fifth in the Financial Services Team Decision Making.  Mason Moore ’24 placed fifth in Hotel and Lodging Management.  David Slavtcheff ’24, placed fourth in Hospitality and Travel Professional Selling.  Ella Grindle ’24, The Hill News Features Editor, placed first in Business, Services Marketing. They will now go on to compete at Nationals, which will be held from April 22-25 in Orlando, FL this year.

In comparison to DECA, TSA is a brand-new club at Hill, founded just last year by students Cayden Cubbin ’25 and Andrew Ward ’25. TSA is an engineering and technology competition where students compete in various events such as building robots or drones, coding video games and websites, designing clothing and children’s books, or giving extemporaneous speeches. TSA caters to a wide range of interests and every student can find something for themselves in this diverse and inclusive group.

After the recent regional competition, ten Hill students qualified to go to the state-level competition. Since this competition is over the summer, however, there is a slim chance that the school will actually be able to send those who qualify. Cubbin and Ward aren’t discouraged, however: “This is a year to understand what TSA is…the experience of being at regionals and states and just the process will help us in future years exponentially.”

The Hill community gives its support to these ambitious teams as they pursue their interests further.