Oklahoma DECA took 234 members to the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida, to compete against students from around the world.
Four Oklahomans were competitive event finalists: Morgan Shade, Southmoore High School, business services operations research; Laura Vergara, Francis Tuttle Technology Center – Rockwell, finance operations research; and Yamina Acosta Rodriguez and Ashley Park, Francis Tuttle – Rockwell, innovation plan.
Also, three Oklahoma students received recognition for top role play or exam: Benton Holloway, Ponca City High School, automotive services marketing series, role play; Jonathan Alakara, Edmond Santa Fe High School, marketing communication series, role play; and Cole Nimmo, Norman North High School, human resources management series, role play and exam.
Oklahoma DECA members competed against 17,221 students from across the globe. The event April 26-29 drew 25,000 DECA members, advisers and partners.
“ICDC in Orlando provided an outstanding educational experience for our 234 Oklahoma DECA members, offering opportunities to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world competitive settings and develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime,” said Mark Burch, business, marketing and information technology education program manager at Oklahoma CareerTech. “We’re incredibly proud of the professionalism, commitment and hard work demonstrated by our students and the dedication of our advisors who make these life-changing experiences possible.”
DECA is one of seven CareerTech student organizations affiliated with CareerTech programs. It is affiliated with marketing education. The other six are FCCLA (family and consumer sciences education), FFA (agricultural education), SkillsUSA (trade and industrial education), Business Professionals of America (business and information technology education), Technology Student Association (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and HOSA (health careers education).
Oklahoma CareerTech: Oklahoma’s Workforce Leader
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 62 campuses, 395 PK-12 school districts, 16 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
