After attending the Kansas Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) annual Career Development Conference at Kansas State University, five Hays High School students advanced to international-level competition at the DECA International Career Development Conference. This conference will be from April 25-30, in Orlando, Fla.
Juniors Mitzi Carillo and Aralen Maupin received second place in the Business Services Operations Category, and seniors Wyatt Kirkpatrick, Carter Lang and Cooper Lindenmeyer took second place in the Finance Operations category, qualifying them for the international competition.
“I looked at my phone to see a text message from [sponsor] Mrs. [Shaina] Prough, congratulating us on receiving second place,” Carillo said. “I was a little shocked because it felt so surreal, and I couldn’t believe that I would be going to Orlando. I felt so proud of myself and of Aralen because I wouldn’t have been able to do this without her.”
The Hays High DECA members competed with 1,200 other students in business, finance, hospitality and marketing.
The following students received recognition for individual ability and achievement at the association level:
Mitzi Carrillo and Aralen Maupin: Business Services Operations – 2nd Place
Wyatt Kirkpatrick, Carter Lang, Cooper Lindenmeyer: Finance Operations – 2nd Place
Braiden Bickle, Izaac Fox, Noah Smalley: Finance Operations – 3rd Place
Ava Biggs: Integrated Marketing Campaign – Event – 3rd Place
Sela Sumaya: Sports and Entertainment Marketing Operations – 3rd Place
Cooper S. Johnson, Truman Johnson, Jalen Smith: Hospitality and Tourism Operations – 4th Place
Braeden Moeckel, Mason Schleicher, Marshall Sook: Sports and Entertainment Marketing Operations – 4th Place
Lizzy Vajnar: Start-Up Business Plan – 4th Place
Brett Dreher, Preston Parr, Madox Zimmerman: Buying and Merchandising Operations – 5th Place
Jesse Taggart: Integrated Marketing Campaign – Service – 5th Place
Daniel Adkins: Business Services Operations – 6th Place
Rig Chhatkuli: Start-Up Business Plan – 9th Place
Emmitt McDaniel: Start-Up Business Plan – 10th Place
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