February is recognized as Career Tech Education (CTE) Month, a time to celebrate the value of career training in schools and the achievements of CTE students. UVA’s DECA chapter is the school’s largest and most accomplished CTE organization and is available to students at both the middle and high school levels. The chapter has attended three conferences this school year and swept awards at each event.
State Career Development Conference
Chapter Awards
- Largest LA DECA Chapter
- Membership Award
- Community Service
- Promotional Campaign
- Innovation + Entrepreneurship
- Outstanding Chapter
- Outstanding Advisor – Mindy Rose and Robert Handley
- 15 Year Advisor – Mindy Rose
First Place Individual Awards
- Katelyn Sisk – Customer Service
- Brock Sykes – Start Up Business Plan
- Isabella Duronslet – Human Resource and Personal Finance Literacy
- Sophie-Grace Segraves – Professional Selling
Second Place Individual Awards
- Abigail Efferson – Apparel & Accessories Marketing
- Adelynn Carona – Career Development
- Charleigh Messer – Innovation Plan
- Kaizlyn Shockley – Innovation Plan
- Aneres Harris – Hotel & Lodging Management
Third Place Individual Awards
- Brielle Whitfield – Business Law Team
- Aneres Harris – Business Law Team
- Ethan Stewart – Entrepreneurship Team
- Katelyn Sisk – Entrepreneurship Team
- Asia Almaswary – Human Resources Management
- Abigail Efferson – Integrated Marketing
- Chloe Ory – Personal Finance Literacy
- Alexandria Harris – Principles of Hospitality
- Trindale Shaffer – Quick Serve Restaurant
Additional Awards and Recognitions
- Finalists: Julianna Giardina, Annaliese Giardina, Maddison Wade, Elijah Ford, Chloe Ory, Olivia Bolin-Elfers, Alexandria Harris, Braylen Haltom, Sophie-Grace Segraves, Trindale Shaffer, Brielle Whitfield
- Competency Awards: Elijah Ford, Sophie-Grace Segraves, Aneres Harris, Asia Almaswary, Chloe Ory, Alexandria Harris, Maddison Wade, Katelyn Sisk, Isabella Duronslet, Abigail Efferson
- Hospitality Award: Aneres Harris
- Outgoing Louisiana DECA president Brock Sykes earned the Carol Borskey Officer Scholarship.
- Katelyn Sisk and Chloe Ory were elected to state office, serving as Vice Presidents of Finance and Hospitality, respectively.
Sports Marketing Conference
The chapter traveled to New Orleans last month for the annual Sports Marketing Conference. They had the opportunity to attend a Q & A session with Pelicans and Saints’ staff members and enjoyed the Pelicans game later that night. Several students qualified to participate in the fan experience and were able to high-five players as they entered the arena.
Fall Conference
- Katelyn Sisk – 1st in Economics Exam
- Brielle Whitfield and Isabella Duronslet -1st place Roleplay Judges award
- Brielle Whitfield, Katelyn Sisk, and Chloe Ory received award certificates for DECA knowledge
Chapter officers also traveled to Washington, D.C. for the “Ultimate DECA Power Trip,” a national leadership conference that brought together high school DECA members from across the country for a weekend focused on leadership development, competition readiness, and career exploration. Students participated in leadership labs, attended motivational keynote sessions, and networked with peers and post-secondary professionals.
UVA is proud of the ambition, drive, and leadership ability consistently demonstrated by our DECA students. We are also proud to extend the organization to middle school this year. Students accomplish great things when given the flexibility and resources to pursue their passions.
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