Hornell High School proudly sent three students to the DECA State Career Conference, held in Rochester, NY. With more than 3,400 students in attendance, the largest conference to date, this event showcased the incredible growth of DECA and the powerful opportunities it provides for students across New York State.

At Hornell, we are committed to preparing students for life beyond the classroom, and DECA is just one of the many ways we make that happen. Through hands-on, competitive experiences, students apply what they’ve learned in class to real-world business scenarios, building confidence, leadership skills, and career readiness.

Each Hornell student competed in an individual series event, which included a written exam and two judged role-play scenarios:

Claire Rose – Hotel & Lodging Management Series
Mia Nasca – Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series
Matthew Robinson – Business Services Marketing Series

Mia earned a Top 10 medal on one of her role-plays, an outstanding accomplishment at the state level! Claire was inducted into the DECA Honor Society, becoming just the fourth Hornell student to receive this prestigious recognition. Matthew once again took on a leadership role, serving on the State Nominations Committee and helping interview candidates for New York State DECA officer positions.

These achievements reflect not only the hard work of our students, but also the strength of Hornell’s commitment to creating meaningful, future-focused opportunities. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the leadership and dedication of Mrs. Mendel, who serves as a Board of Trustee member for New York DECA and co-chaired this year’s Nominations Committee.

Experiences like this are what make Hornell special, and why our students continue to stand out on every stage they step onto.