High School Seniors Make Finals at DECA Internationals

Congratulations to Frontier High School senior, Melany Gonzalez and her partner, Timberview High School senior, Andrew Bostic, for making the finals in Financial Analysis Team Decision Making, at the DECA International Career Development Conference. The conference was held in Anaheim CA, April 24-27, with over 15,000 student competitors from all over the world.

Their event included a rigorous financial exam as well as role-plays in front of judges from the finance industry . The team came in 1st place in Texas where they went on to represent  Ben Barber DECA, Frontier High School, Timberview High School, Mansfield ISD, and Texas. If you see Melany or Andrew, please congratulate them on a job well done.

The DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is the highlight of the DECA year. Fourteen thousand high school students, advisors, businesspersons and alumni gather for several days of DECA excitement. Most participants at ICDC compete in one of DECA's competitive events. The top competitors in each event are recognized for their outstanding achievements. In addition to the competitive events, many students and advisors participate in a variety of leadership and career advancing academies.

DECA students winning with youth movement

Thirty-nine DECA students from Ben Barber Career Tech Academy advance to the 2013 Texas DECA State Career Development Conference after wins at the career development district contest.
The Texas DECA District 7 Competition was held at Lone Star High School in Frisco, TX on January 19. District 7 is the largest district in Texas, where we also have the presiding President, Alexis Holleman from Frontier High School. This year, BBCTA took 46 students and 39 advanced to state competition.

When asked if this number was up or down from previous years, DECA advisor Cathy Slagle noted, "last year we took 56 and 53 won; but we had majority of Seniors; this year we had a majority of 9-11th grade students.

Eleven of the competitors were returning DECA members but the other 28 were new to DECA this year.

"We were so excited about the increase in our 9-11th graders winning and allowing them to have more experience in DECA before graduating from high school," says Slagle. "Most students say 'If I had only known about DECA as a Freshman or Sophomore, I could have had so much more opportunities.' We feel we are finally getting the word out!"

The Texas DECA State Career Development Conference 2013 will be held in Corpus Christi, February 28 through March 3.

2013 District 7 DECA Career Development Conference
Ben Barber DECA Competition Team Winners: 39 Plus a District Officer
AAM: Apparel & Accessories Marketing Series (Individuals not a team)
Victoria Carmichael – 12th grade, Lake Ridge
Edyd Medina – 11th grade, Summit

ADC: Advertising Campaign (1 Team of Three)
Oscar Gonzales – 11th grade, Summit
Alexis Holleman – 12th grade, Frontier
Alexis Walworth – 12th grade, Frontier

BLTDM: Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making (2 Teams Won!)
Iguehita Odomore (Team #1) – 12th grade, Timberview
Joelle Ruhana (Team #1) – 12th grade, Summit
David Brefo (Team #2) – 12th grade, Summit
Mojano Elleh (Team #2) – 12th grade, Summit

BMOR: Buying and Merchandising Operations Research (One Team)
Raegan Arnold – 10th grade, Mansfield
Alexis Noble – 10th grade, Mansfield
Megan Taylor – 10th grade, Mansfield

BTDM: Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making (Two teams)
Anna Kurth (Team #1) – 9th grade, Legacy
Grace Taylor (Team #1) – 9th grade, Legacy
Odufa Atsegbua (Team #2) – 12th grade, Timberview
Ebony Jackson (Team #2) – 12th grade, Timberview

DOFC: District Officer Candidate
Kawter Carver - NEW D7 VICE PRESIDENT – 11th grade, Summit

FLPP:Financial Literacy Promotion Plan (One Team of two)
Jordan Eldridge – 12th grade, Frontier
Brandon Hines – 12th grade, Frontier

FMP: Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan (One Team of Three)
Ashle Colston – 12th grade, Summit
Keri Decay – 12th grade, Summit
Morgan Johnson – 12th grade, Mansfield

FTDM: Financial Services Team Decision Making (Two teams of two) (Both won!)
Andrew Bostic (Team #1) – 12th grade, Timberview
Melany Gonzales (Team #1) – 12th grade, Frontier
Matthew Hogue (Team #2) – 11th grade, Legacy
Cole Stewart-Johnson (Team #2) – 11th grade, Summit

MMS: Marketing Management Series (Individual Event)
Katrina Riley – 12th grade, Timberview

MTDM: Marketing Communication Team Decision Making (Team of two)
Angela Armendariz (Team #1) – 12th grade, Timberview
Michelle Bigirimana (Team #1) – 12th grade, Summit

PBM: Principles of Business Management and Administration (Individual Event)
Jade Odomore – 11th grade, Timberview

PFN: Principles of Finance (Individual Event)
Cory Hughes – 11th grade, Frontier
Asmaa Mohamed – 11th grade, Summit

PHT: Principles of Hospitality and Tourism (Individual Event)
Lauren Mann – 9th grade, Lake Ridge
Donquarius Ross – 12th grade, Summit

PMK: Principles of Marketing (Individual Event)
Justin Aguaze – 11th grade, Lake Ridge
Kawter Carver – 11th grade, Summit
Meagon Jones – 12th grade, Summit
David Ropotusin – 10th grade, Legacy
Chelsea Watkins – 12th grade, Timberview

QSRM: Quick Service Restaurant Management Series (Individual Event)
Ciara Hines – 11th grade, Timberview

RFSM: Restaurant and Food Service Management Series (Individual Event)
Kristin Criswell – 10th grade, Legacy

DECA Advisors: Cathy Slagle, Jennifer Harris, Casey Crow, Debra Permenter, Nancy Kojder, Natalie Franklin

Additional Information: Founded in 1946, the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) has touched the lives of more than 10 million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Student Makes the Most of Leadership Position

by Abby Cloud

Senior Jordan Robinson has more on his mind than college, prom and graduation. As the President of the Texas Association of DECA, he leads over 10,675 members and represents the third largest association within the National DECA organization.

I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Robinson to discuss his role as Texas DECA President, his recent leadership conference in Washington D.C. and more.

Abby: This is a really big year for you! How did this leadership opportunity come about?

Jordan: When I decided to run for office, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. Once I got to the conference and set up my campaign booth, I learned quickly that I had to come out from behind the booth to build connections and have one-on-one conversations with people.

Abby: I hear you gave an epic campaign speech. Why do you think it was so successful?

Jordan: The day before the speeches I talked to a lot of members and I got a really good feel for what they wanted and expected from a President. I realized my original speech did not line up with their feedback, so I was up until about 2:00 that night making changes to my speech. Also, mine was one of the last speeches delivered, so after hearing everyone else’s, I knew what I needed to do to set myself apart.

Abby: Fast forward to your current position as President… what responsibilities do you have on your plate?

Jordan: I’m gearing up for a leadership conference in New Braunfels. We’re working on a Dress for Success workshop that will help give people the basics on professionalism. I’ve also been coordinating community service projects for our chapter, which is something I am really passionate about.

Abby: How much of your free time is spent working on DECA projects?

Jordan: I work on DECA stuff every day! I made myself take a week off during the summer, but then I ended up with two weeks of work to catch up on. It’s definitely a huge responsibility, but I know it is worth it.

 Abby: What about the fun stuff? How was your leadership trip in D.C. this summer?

Jordan: It was definitely an opportunity for me to bond with my leadership team. We went on a lot of different tours, so I was able to see the Smithsonian and the Arlington Cemetery, which was awesome! I think the most valuable thing I took home from the trip was what I learned about coordinating and leading a team.

Abby: In what ways has this leadership position allowed you to impact others? 

Jordan: I think I have inspired my teammates through my accomplishments. Now there are other people in my chapter that want to run for district or state office. I helped show people that even if you come from a small town, you can still do big things.

Abby: Now the inevitable interview question for seniors… How about those future plans?

Jordan: I’m hoping to start college at TCU next year, and if they don’t already have a DECA chapter, I would love to get one started and get others involved. I’m interested in studying chemical engineering or computer science. Even though DECA has more of a business focus, I have learned things about time management and organization that I think will be helpful to me no matter what career I choose.

Abby: What else do you want people to know about you?

Jordan: When I decided to run for DECA office, a lot of people were worried that it would change me. Yes, I am the state president and I have a lot of stuff to do, but I would still drop anything to be there for my friends. I’m still Jordan, just a busier version. 

DECA Students Make History at State Competition

After a record-breaking outcome at the Regional competition in January, 26 DECA students from Ben Barber Career Tech Academy advanced to the 2011 Texas DECA State Career Development Conference (CDC) February 24 – 26 in Fort Worth, where they continued to make history for the district with nine wins and the election of Jordan Robinson for 2011 – 2012 Texas DECA State President.

As the first ever State Officer from the district, Robinson (pictured at right) will have many opportunities to represent Mansfield ISD and Texas DECA throughout the year. Robinson’s campaign tag line was, “Now that’s a plan,” with his platform focusing on a plan for Texas DECA. Robinson ran with 6 other extremely qualified candidates, but in the end, he was elected by 3,000 students attending the Texas DECA State Conference and Competition.

Ben Barber DECA will be well represented by a group of outstanding young men and women at the DECA International Competition in Orlando, Florida, April 29 - May 3, 2011.

Congratulations to the nine students advancing in the competition:
(Student, Event, Place, High School)

Maliz Mahop, MET Job, Interview Event, 1st Place, Timberview
Washima Huq, Internet Marketing Plan, 1st Place, Summit
Jordan Robinson, Internet Marketing Plan, 1st Place, Timberview
Anjola Coker, Free Enterprise, 1st Place, Mansfield
Joshlyn Willis, Principles of Business Administration, 1st Place, Summit
Kelli McQuesten, Learn and Earn Business Plan, 2nd Place, Legacy
Maliz Mahop, Learn and Earn Business Plan, 2nd Place, Timberview
Chad Lane, Internet Marketing, 2nd Place, Summit
Anjola Coker, Marketing Management, 2nd Place, Mansfield

Jordan Robinson – Elected 2011 – 2012 Texas DECA State President
Washima Huq – MARKETING EDUCATORS OF TEXAS $1,000.00 SCHOLARSHIP

Advisors: Cathy Dunn Slagle, Mark Roquemore, Mike Asato and Brooke Baker

Additional Information: Founded in 1946, the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) has touched the lives of more than 10 million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.