DECA means business in Virginia Beach

On the weekend of Feb. 28, members of Independence DECA had big wins in Virginia Beach against over 3,000 other Virginia high school students while simultaneously enjoying the beachfront view.

The students were all gathered in eastern Virginia at the DECA State Leadership Conference, a conference that would decide who would be able to move on to the international stage for various categories. 

Those categories range from job interviews, business plans, literacy, decision making and more. They can be prepared for months in advance or minutes in advance, and done either individually or in small groups.

“There are lots of opportunities, and there’s something for everyone,” said Mrs. Aimee Heavener, an Independence DECA sponsor and marketing teacher. “You’re practicing real world careers while gaining marketing skills.”

There were many wins for the school’s DECA team, including the largest member increase in their region. Additionally, several students placed high enough to be able to move on to nationals.

Of those winners includes sophomore Shreya Chacko, who placed second with sophomore Shresta Dantuluri in the International Business Plan category. 

Sophomore Independence DECA members Shresta Dantuluri and Shreya Chacko (far right) placed second in the International Business Plan category at the Virginia State Leadership Conference. “We didn’t expect to win at all,” Chacko said. “We got on stage and we were just in shock.” Photo courtesy of Indy DECA.

“It’ll be our first time going to nationals, so we aren’t really expecting to place,” Chacko commented. “But, it’d be really nice to be in the top 20.”

Nationals for DECA is called the International Career Development Conference, and was going to be held in Nashville, TN from Apr. 29 to May 2. The conference would have pulled nearly 20,000 DECA students together along with business professionals, but due to the current circumstances it had to be cancelled.

Winners from the State Leadership Conference (and their categories) include:

Shreya Chacko* and Shresta Dantuluri* – International Business Plan

Bryan Steele* – Principles of Hospitality & Tourism

Aadi Aggarwal* – Personal Finance Literacy

Madeline DiLuigi* – Principles of Finance

Rachelle Gauthier – Principles of Business Administration

Alden Zerkle – Job Interview

Jai Ravula – Automotive Services Series

Arushi Gambhir and Haley Huggins – Principles of Marketing

Sarah Chevraux* and Darsh Ravada* – Tiger Threads

*eligible for International Career Development Conference