DECA Takes on State
Wakeland DECA takes on State despite changes due to icy weather.
Virtually Succeeding – Because of the icy weather, seniors Kara Reardon, Maggie Shaw, and Kate Gable virtually present their project, Seminars for Success, for DECA. “The judging is different because everybody looks the same on the screen. It’s more about who can use technology best rather than who has the best presenting skills,” Gable said. The girls will be advancing to Nationals in the Business Solutions Project Event.
On Mon., Feb. 28, Wakeland DECA competed in state virtually after being unable to travel to Houston, Tx due to icy conditions.
“Because of the icy weather, we were unfortunately unable to travel to Houston for state and went virtual like we did the previous year because of COVID,” senior Cy Patterson said.
Due to the weather conditions, Frisco ISD canceled Wakeland’s travel, rendering them unable to attend the competition in Houston.
“At first, we were disqualified from competing, but thankfully the DECA district director reached out and pleaded our case to DECA. They allowed us to compete virtually,” DECA Officer senior Karina Garza said.
In order to compete virtually, students had all of Mon. from 5 a.m. to midnight to record a video of their presentation and submit it to the Texas DECA website.
“We did our video over Zoom and then the judges judge on Tues., then hopefully awards will be announced Thurs.,” Garza said.
One of the biggest differences with having to compete online is how students are judged on their presentations.
“[Competing online] puts emphasis on the actual presentation’s meaning more than presentation skills, as one could have numerous attempts to record the presentation,” junior Dylan Hauglid said.
In previous years with having to compete virtually due to COVID, they were familiar with the online process.
“The online process was similar to the protocol during last year’s competition,” Hauglid said.
Many of Wakeland’s DECA members were able to advance to Nationals.
Junior Luke Wright will be advancing for the Automotive Services Marketing Series (ASM) Event.
Seniors Peyton Simpson, Aditi Singh, and Ava White will be advancing for the Buying & Merchandising Operations Research (BMOR) Event.
Seniors Rahul Manepalli, Cy Patterson, and Tanner Paul will also be advancing for the BMOR Event..
Seniors Nikitha Bolla and Kethana Uppalapati will be advancing for the Business Services Operations Research (BOR) Event.
Seniors Karina Garza, Luke Rulon, and Grace Rhee will be advancing for the Franchise Business Plan (EFB) Event.
Seniors Kate Gable, Kara Reardon, and Maggie Shaw will be advancing in the Business Solutions Project (PMFL) Event.
Seniors Paige Gonzales, Sara Patel, and AnneMarie Stammreich will be advancing in the Integrated Marketing Campaign (IMCE) Event.
Junior Rajas Ketkar will be advancing for the Business Growth Plan (EBG) Event.
Junior Samantha Treadway will be advancing in the Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling Event (HTPS).
Sophomore Rohini Viswanatham and freshman Varshini Viswanatham will be advancing in the Innovation Plan (EIP) Event .
Sophomores Sarah Sonny, Samantha Stein, and Natalie Tebeaux will be advancing in the Start-Up Business Plan (ESB) Event.
Sophomores Lily Desigio and Nathan Shadzeka will be advancing in the Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making (ETDM) Event.
Sophomores Garrett Brooks, Lauren Monte, and Kelsey Rayer will be advancing in the Hospitality & Tourism Operations Research Event (HTOR).
Sophomores James Gable, Jay Gonzales, and Alexander Rinaldi will be advancing in the Business Solution Project (PMBS) Event.
After their success at state, DECA is getting ready for Nationals on Apr. 22-26 in Atlanta, GA.