This past weekend, the Lions competed in the DECA State Competition, hosted at The Broadmoor Hotel. Overall, the team had some outstanding performances, including 1st place wins from seniors Caroline May and Zoë Matteo. As well, Senior Axel Fontaine placed 2nd, and senior Daniel Long also placed in his event. Many others ended up being finalists in their events as well. This is an outstanding performance from DECA!
When talking to May about her performance at State, she said, “I was incredibly fortunate to place 1st in the state in my event, Marketing Communications, qualifying for the International Competition.”
When asked about her favorite part about competing in State, May said, “I love being able to talk to other people from other schools in DECA, because everybody has had so many different experiences.”
Similarly, Matteo said, “I was able to win first at State again this year in Food Marketing, and I am now able to move on to ICDC, the international competition in April.”
When talking to May and Matteo about the challenges they faced at State, May said, “I was at States for both a written event and a role play, and on the first day I learned that I didn’t make it to finals for the written, so I found it a little bit discouraging to compete with my role play the next day, but I rallied and it ended up great!”
Matteo said, “The biggest challenge is honestly the competition itself, and to keep competing even if you’re not exactly confident in what you are saying.”
Both Matteo and May had outstanding performances at State, and worked through challenges during the competition, but they have also have some big takeaways from participating in DECA for the past four years.
Matteo says, “It’s been my favorite part about high school, and I am so glad I took a business class my freshman year.” She also highly recommends that everyone try DECA or a business class just to see if you like it, because it’s different and might be something you like.
Some takeaways that May have also include how this experience has impacted her. “I feel like DECA has provided me with business experiences that I wouldn’t have been able to attain through business classes or a typical job that teenagers have,” May says.
DECA is an important part of the LHS community, as we had around 20 people compete and 13 finalists, leaving students with lifelong skills and memories. We are so proud of you Lions, and wish you luck at ICDC in April!
