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DECA Wins Back-to-Back State Competitions
Written By: Joshua Gaede, Klamath Union High School
Klamath Union DECA, known for stealing the spotlight at the annual DECA State Career Development Conference, did it again this year. DECA members from all across Oregon competed to qualify to go to Internationals held this year in Atlanta, Ga.
Sixteen KU DECA members went to Portland to compete in a variety of role plays and team decisions. These students put in an excruciating amount of work into preparing for competition.
The KU DECA officers hard work paid off by winning the 2018 Chapter of the Year award becoming the first chapter in school history to win back to back titles. To win, a chapter must complete eight vigorous projects, ranging from Leadership to Community Service. This is the eighth time KU DECA has earned this prestigious honor dating back to 2000.
“It was so cool to hear our chapter called the Oregon State Champion. We wanted to be the first officer team to earn this honor. It was a lot of work to complete all the pro-jects,” said Dillon Taylor, KU DECA Officer.
When speaking with another DECA officer, Khrystina Dawes, she said, “I couldn’t stop smiling for a few days. I was so excited and proud of the officers I worked with all year. Our team came together and rocked the world. I can’t wait to see what we can do next year.”
The real achievement is all the new DECA members acquired this year. With only three returning members, the chapter needed to recruit new members that would work hard and showed they have what it takes to be state champions in the years to come.
De-clan Ritter, a first-year DECA member and now an international qualifier, joined DECA just because a friend invited him. He said DECA gave him “valuable leadership skills and insight on running a business.” Now, he is going to Atlanta to compete with other DECA members from across the globe.
KU DECA is taking seven students to compete in Atlanta at the International DECA competition and participate in leadership conferences.
Joshua Gaede placed first overall in food marketing and earned two role play medals. Senior Caydan Henslee placed third in automotive marketing. These two seniors will represent KU in Atlanta. Also representing KU will be Beau Stork, retail merchandising, Declan Ritter-automotive marketing, and Dillon Taylor, restaurant and food service marketing.
DECA teaches strong speaking skills through competition and travel. Senior Alen Rameriz was amazed at how many other students from across the state he met. “I met so many people in Portland, and I continue to message them using social media. I did-n’t think I would see that many people or enjoy speaking to other high school students that much.”
