FVHS’s DECA chapter won the Chapter Distinction Award Saturday, Feb. 28 while at the DECA state competition in Greensboro. The group earned this award for doubling their membership size from 40 members to 80.
Sophomore Aditya Reddy Aenugu and freshman Pothan Sreekamal Parvathala won fourth place in Finance Operations. Sophomore Pranav Balabaskaran and sophomore Saksham Saxena won seventh place for Integrated Marketing Campaign – Product. In Finance Operations, sophomore Akash Karthikeyan Mathanraj, sophomore Aadeel Mohammad and sophomore Aiden Squires won tenth place.
CTE teacher and DECA advisor, Kelsey Furse said, “I think these awards empower and motivate current and future students to work even harder for nationals and for future competitions in years to come.”
Senior Cassidy Maruna is a co-president of DECA and won sixth place in the Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling Event.
“I wanted to get more experience with different fields of business as well as make connections with other people who are interested in the same things as me,” said Maruna.
All members appreciated winning the award because it recognizes the work the chapter has been doing. Furse wants more students to practice on their tests for the competition so more awards can be won next year.
Aenugu said, “This is my first year in DECA, so it means a lot to win this award, not only for myself, but my family and everyone who supported me and the school as a whole who accepted me. On top of that, it means more than just the award. [I met] new people, our chapter advisors, and having the opportunity to compete at nationals.”
DECA is a global nonprofit organization that prepares high school and even college students for careers in finance, marketing, management and hospitality. This helps students interested in business, like Maruna, learn more about the job.
“[DECA] helps me figure out what I want to do with my future,” said Maruna.
The chapter also got enamel pins saying ‘proficient’ which meant they demonstrated mastery in their skills. This is the third level of four levels: beginning, developing, proficient and exemplary.
Though the chapter isn’t going on to compete at the next level, they are preparing themselves to get better. Students interested in business should join DECA so they can get real world experience before college. They will also gain friends with hobbies and ideas like them.
Aenugu said, “What I want to see from the group is winning. It’s not just about participating, but winning, not only on a state level, but winning on a national level as well. I’m excited to go to ICDC and see what Fuquay is about, but next year, I want to see more progress and more innovation.”
The next DECA event is the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is April 25-28 in Atlanta, Georgia.
