This year, Jan. 29, six Antioch Community High School students competed with over 1,000 other students in the Regional DECA Competition.

What is DECA?

“DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe,” according to DECA.org. Basically, DECA provides programs for both high school and college level students that are looking to advance in certain areas of business.

“DECA has over 35 different competitive areas, including Sports Marketing, Retailing, Restaurant Management, Entrepreneurship and Finance,” said Donna Corcoran, career, technical, and business instructor at Antioch Community High School. “Some students compete individually, others compete as a team of two, while still others may conduct research and present their findings in a written event.  DECA returned to ACHS this year after a four year hiatus.  It is one aspect of the Antioch Business Club.”

Out of the six Antioch Community High School students that competed on January 29, two seniors scored exceptionally well.

“Logan McKevett, a senior, won third place overall in Restaurant and Food Service Management, an individual event.  Senior Josh Rodriguez also scored well.  Both students will travel to the State Career Development Conference in Decatur, Illinois,”said Corcoran. “Students from all over the state will meet to compete, network, and learn from each other.  Those who win 1-3 place overall in each event will be invited to compete at the International Career Development Conference in April, which is held in Orlando, Florida this year.”

Although the DECA competition is over, students who are interested in business, even if they are not interested in competing, should consider joining the Antioch Business Club, which offers other opportunities to learn more and be more involved in the world of business.