Rhinelander DECA students deliver at districts

DECA Districts was held in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan 10. Sixteen Rhinelander students competed against about 500 other students from the north-central region of Wisconsin in numerous business-related fields.

According to a school district press release, DECA competitions fall into one of four career clusters: marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Within those clusters, there are more specific events that deal with a specific career field in that cluster. For example, if you were to choose accounting as your event, that would fall under the finance cluster. Competitors studied throughout the month of December and went to study sessions to prepare for competition. Their scores come from a career cluster test and two role plays. In addition, all competitors take an economics test.

The economics test was taken before students went to Wisconsin Rapids and included a variety of 100 questions to count for a quarter of the score. Once at Rapids, students first took a career cluster test that related to the general event they were competing in (marketing, finance, hospitality, or management). For the other part of their score, students were given two “real-life” situations/role plays which they had to try to work out in front of a judge (who is often a complaining customer, a business partner, or an employee). 

Of the 16 students that competed at regionals, 7 individuals and two teams of 2 were awarded a medal or plaque. Taking home first place were Brody Kowieski (Personal Financial Literacy) and Aiden Ostermann (Sports & Entertainment Marketing). Kamden Kostrova (Principles of Hospitality) and the team of Luna Grage and Evi Sawyer (Marketing Management Team Event) placed second.

 Another two students placed third in their events:  Payton McCue (Accounting) and Kate Ripple (Business Services). Rhinelander also had two Overall Series Finalists (OSF), meaning they placed between 4th and 10th in their events; Greyson Gremban (Personal Financial Literacy) and Payton McCue (Economics Test). These students automatically qualified for the state competition. 

Also, advancing to the state competition are: Matthew Carpenter (Human Resource Management), Grant Gremban (Principles of Business Administration), Clara Pudlowski & Caden Ehrhardt (Hospitality Marketing Team), Sam Caselton & Josh Haselton (Sports & Entertainment Marketing Team, and Lylah Schroeder & Kali Skubal (Travel & Tourism Marketing Team).

Rhinelander High School has been involved in DECA for 11 years, competing in District II which includes high schools from Lakeland to Adams-Friendship.  

The state competition will be held in Lake Geneva Feb. 23-26. If you would like to assist in sending these students to competition, contact adviser Mischell Fryar at 715-365-9500.