This year, eleven Hornell City School District students participated in the annual Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Regional Competition, held December 20, 2021, at Alfred State College in Alfred, NY. Thirty-one students from Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Steuben counties attended.
The competition consisted of multiple choice exams and business role-playing exercises. Kenneth Robinson (Grade 12) took first place, Mia Nasca (Grade 8) took second place and Caylin Young (Grade 12) took third place in the marketing cluster exam and marketing cluster role play. Robinson placed second in the overall competition. Nasca and Young are first-year DECA members.
Mia Nasca, Caylin Young and Kenneth Robinson were the top competitors from Hornell CSD
These three students are now eligible to participate in the New York State competition held in Rochester, NY, on March 9-11, 2022.
“DECA helps to promote business and marketing skills for students and is a great addition to our curriculum,” said Pamela Mendel, the Hornell CSD DECA advisor and business teacher. “These types of experiences promote lifelong success in business.”
DECA is an international marketing organization that helps students develop skills for successful business careers, build self-esteem, learn leadership skills and practice community service. There are more than 5,000 chapters worldwide. Mendel, who recently became the regional advisor, said the December competition was the first in-person event she has organized since taking on the role.
Eleven judges served in the regional competition: Hornell CSD Superintendent Jeremy Palotti and Business Teacher Toni Nasca, along with Alfred State faculty members Susan Gorman, Joe Bailey and Mark Bloxom joined by local business owners and former DECA advisors Julie Monahan, Steve Olix, Margaret Walsh, Walt Zeznick, John Felton and Nyles Panus.
DECA sign-ups are closed for this year, however, students who are interested in participating in the 2022-23 school year can reach out to Mendel for more information.