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Bridgeport High School's DECA Students Take the Classroom on the Road and Compete in Atlanta

By Trina Runner on April 30, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

Some lessons are best learned outside the classroom.  Eight Bridgeport High School DECA students had that opportunity last week as they traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to compete in the International Career Development Conference.
 
Of the 10 West Virginia State DECA winners who qualified for the international competition, eight took part in the experience, which included more than 20,000 students from all 50 states and 10 countries. 
 
in Atlanta, the group spent a day at Six Flags Over Georgia, attended an Andy Grammar concert, visited the Coca-Cola World and the Georgia Aquarium, and cheered on the Atlanta Braves.  The opening and closing ceremonies took place in the new Mercedes Benz Stadium, where they attended motivational presentations from some of the most influential leaders in business.
 
“The experience was wonderful,” said West Virginia State Action Team Officer and Bridgeport High School Sophomore Alden Smith.  “As a state officer, I was able to further develop my leadership skills and worked with the team to create goals for next year for West Virginia DECA.”
 
Throughout the week, students donned professional dress and networked with representatives from industry and education, including West Virginia University.  They competed in events that challenged their knowledge and application of marketing concepts learned in the classroom and honed their presentational skill set in front of judges from all over the country.
 
“The International Career Development Conference allowed us to show our professionalism on a national stage, demonstrating our knowledge of finance, marketing, management and entrepreneurship and helping us prepare for future careers in those fields,” said Smith. 
 
Three seniors were honored for their dedication to DECA and presented with DECA graduation stoles.  Rhe Freeman, Carlie Crayton, and Jake Runner have been vital to the success of BHS DECA throughout their high school careers, participating in community service projects, fundraising efforts and civic presentations.  All three also earned the Emerging Leader Honors Award.
 
“Being in DECA and having the opportunity to attend the International Career Development Conference has helped me develop research and study skills beyond textbooks,” said Crayton. “We apply our knowledge in the real world and work with professionals that value our input.”
 
Crayton and Freeman competed in the Independent Business Plan event, Runner competed with Maddie Lalama in Personal Finance Promotion Plan.  Underclassmen who competed included Alden Smith in Community Service and Dakota Swiger, Molly Runner and Corinne Lalama in Public Relations Project. 
 
“Unlike many competitions, DECA challenges us to work year-round to fully research our topics,” said Corinne Lalama.  “The financial project was presented at Bridgeport Middle School and our project was about the Suicide Prevention Club that was initiated at BHS this year.  The entire experience taught us patience, compassion, teamwork skills and the process of developing and implementing ideas that could impact our school and community.”
 
 
 
 


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