DECA students from Sandy Creek High and Whitewater High schools demonstrated their college and career knowledge and skills at the DECA State Career Development Conference, with seven of them advancing to the International Career Development Conference in April.

These students earned their place at the international conference by taking top placements in their events at the state conference in February. Over 2,200 students from across Georgia competed.

Fayette’s students advancing to the international competition are (Sandy Creek High) Quad Turner and Jackson Bylsma, seventh place, Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making; (Whitewater High) Megan Brubaker, first place, Professional Selling; Olivia Starkey, second place, Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling; Christina Whitehead, second place, Principals of Hospitality and Tourism; Dallen Vick, third place, Professional Selling; and Aliaahil Lilywala, seventh place, Business Finance.

The competitive process is rigorous. Students are evaluated on both a written component such as an exam or report, and an interactive component with an industry professional serving as a judge.

The DECA International Career Development Conference will take place at the Atlanta World Congress Center April 21-24. More than 10,000 finalists from chartered associations throughout the world are expected compete at the international event, all in the hopes of being named an international champion.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. As an integral part of the classroom curriculum, DECA’s industry-validated competitive events are aligned with the National Curriculum Standards, and directly contribute to every student being college and career ready when they graduate from high school.