From March 4 to March 6, members of North High School’s DECA chapter traveled to compete at the New York DECA State Career Conference. The annual competition brings together thousands of students from across the state who are interested in business, marketing, finance and entrepreneurship. Students compete in a variety of events that test their knowledge, presentation skills and ability to apply business concepts to real world situations.
North High students spent months preparing for the competition. Many participants practiced role play scenarios, studied business concepts and worked on written projects leading up to the event. The conference provides students with the opportunity to compete against other top students from around New York while also attending workshops, networking with peers and learning from industry professionals.
The conference was organized by DECA Inc., an international organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Each year the New York state conference allows high school chapters to showcase their work and compete for a chance to qualify for the international competition.
Students from North High participated in several different competitive categories. These events included role play competitions where students are given a business scenario and must present solutions to judges, as well as written events that require detailed research and planning. Competitors are evaluated on their communication skills, understanding of business principles and ability to think quickly in professional situations.
“I spent a lot of time preparing for States, so it felt great to finally compete and apply everything I practiced,” sophomore Max Hendizadeh said.
Beyond the competitions themselves, the conference also allowed students to meet others who share similar interests in business and leadership. Many attendees said that networking with students from other schools was one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
“DECA States was an amazing experience because I got to meet competitors from all over New York and see how passionate everyone was,” sophomore Hunter Nohgreh said. “It was really inspiring to learn from others.”
A highlight of the conference for North High was the election of sophomore Gavin Zhao as vice president for the state association. Zhao ran a campaign during the conference and was elected by DECA members from across the state. His new role will involve helping represent students and assist in planning events for the upcoming year.
Zhao’s election is a significant accomplishment both for him and for the North High chapter. As vice president, he will work with other state officers to support DECA programs, encourage student participation and promote leadership development among members. State officers also help organize conferences and represent the association at different events throughout the year.
“I’m incredibly honored and proud to be elected Vice President, and it means a lot to know other members trust me to represent them,” sophomore Gavin Zhao said. “I’m excited to help grow our chapter and support other competitors to make DECA even better.”
For many students, the conference was also a chance to experience a large-scale professional event. Participants dressed in business attire, attended opening and closing ceremonies and listened to guest speakers who shared advice about leadership, entrepreneurship and career development.
Although competition is a major part of the conference, many participants said the experience was about more than just winning awards. The event encourages students to step outside their comfort zones, develop confidence in public speaking and apply classroom knowledge in realistic business situations.
North High’s DECA members said they plan to use what they learned from the conference to continue improving their skills throughout the year. Students who attended also said the experience motivated them to stay involved in business related activities and pursue leadership opportunities within the organization.
The chapter hopes to continue growing and sending students to future conferences. For many participants, attending the New York State Career Conference was both a learning experience and an opportunity to represent their school at a competitive statewide level.
