Throughout the year, the marketing classroom at Bridgeport High School has been decorated with a Disney theme.  Mouse ears have been posted with every event in which students could compete at state DECA competition, with the goal of attending the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando.  The students who chose to compete at state DECA competitions worked tirelessly throughout the year to prepare written manuals and projects to present to the judges. In March, all BHS DECA students qualified to advance to ICDC, which was held April 26-May 1 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

 

The lessons learned at ICDC go far beyond classroom walls, as the students me people from all fifty states and nine countries.  They were treated to a personalized Blue Man Group show and listened to an inspirational keynote speaker from MTV’s “The Buried Life.”  Throughout the weekly event, students participated in leadership academies, networking events, and were even treated to a pizza party hosted by West Virginia University’s College of Business and Economics.

 

While visiting Disney parks and Universal Studio’s DECA night, the students had a great time, but the main event was all about the competition.  Madelyn Lalama, BHS DECA president, competed in Community Service, featuring highlights from the Bridgeport High School Life League program. Alden Smith, upcoming state DECA president, and Dakota Hitt competed in Innovation Plan, where they invented an app that helped match personality types to tasks to aid in human resource management. All three received national Awards of Excellence for their hard work.

 

Michaela Perri and Veronica Archer competed in Business Services Operations, showcasing local business “My Little Cupcake” in their project.  The last group was Public Relations Project, featuring the work of Molly Runner, Corinne Lalama, and Dakota Swiger.  The trio promoted the mental health group, VENT, which offers free, confidential support to those who are experiencing mental health issues.

 

“Each year, the DECA experience just keeps getting better,” said Smith.  “As the state president next year, I hope to have input on what we do at ICDC, but also how we can make a difference locally and as a state organization. DECA takes the professional student organization to a whole new level with competitions, community service and networking and I am excited to be a part of it.”

 

DECA, a marketing organization of students, focuses on career goals for those interested in marketing, management, tourism and hospitality, and finance.  Each year, Bridgeport High School sends students to participate in the state competitions, with 100% qualifying for international competitions for the last decade.  At ICDC, students learn to dress and behave as professionals, apply concepts learned in their marketing classes, and improve their presentational skills in front of judges.  

 

Seniors Michaela Perri and Madelyn Lalama were also presented with special DECA graduation stoles from the West Virginia DECA organization in recognition of their leadership skills and commitment to DECA.  

 

“This trip has given me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and apply what we learn in business classes at BHS,” said Lalama.  “It gives us real-life experiences and improves our business skills through hands-on scenarios. DECA has been one of the most influential aspects of my high school experience and I am grateful for the support of the community and school as we represented them on a global scale. ”