Forty Five Members DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) qualified for the State Career Development Conference on February 19-21, 2026 in Dallas, TX where they competed in various competitions.
“Students attend the state meet because they earn it through competition,” Jocelyn Etters said. “Students compete at the district level in business or marketing-related events. The top finishers (usually top 4 depending on the event) qualify for state. Advancing means they performed at a high level in areas like problem-solving, presentation, teamwork, and business/marketing knowledge”
DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America, it is a student organization that prepares students for college and future careers, mainly in business, marketing, finance, hospitality and tourism, entrepreneurship and management.
Students compete in events like marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, sports & entertainment, etc., role-play real business scenarios, write business plans and startup ideas, develop leadership, public speaking, and teamwork skills, and they advance from district to state to international competitions.
DECA gives our students the chance to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world business situations,” Jocelyn Etters said. “Through role-plays, business plans, and competitive events in areas like business, marketing, finance, hospitality & tourism, and entrepreneurship, they develop leadership, public speaking, and teamwork skills while advancing from district to state to international competitions.”
As the contest approaches, students experience a myriad of emotions.
“I’m super excited to see my DECA friends that don’t go to my school, and I’m nervous about competing because I really hope to get first place and advance to ICDC this year,” senior Madi Lesur said.
ICDC stands for International Career Development Conference is the third and last round of DECA competition. It is hosted in major US cities. This year, it is being hosted in Atlanta Georgia. There are three different ways to travel to ICDC: as a competitor, as an academy member (a program where you learn about leadership) which is chosen by chapter advisors, or as an executive voting delegate to vote for the executive DECA team which is often chosen by Texas DECA.
Students said participating in DECA created skills they can use both in competition and beyond the classroom.
“Being a part of DECA has helped me strengthen my speaking, problem solving, critical thinking, and people skills,” Lesur said.
The organization plays a key role in building confidence through hands-on experience.
“DECA has helped me develop my public speaking skills and critical thinking skills,” Hayden Bailey said.
Competitors said DECA has also prepared them for future careers in business and leadership.
“Being a part of DECA has helped me grow as a leader and business person, expanding my knowledge and giving me a valuable skill set going into the world of business,” senior Aaron Butter said.
DECA adviser Jocelyn Etters said she expects several students to advance beyond state based on their knowledge, expertise and practice.
“The Texas DECA State Career Development Conference will have around 8,100 registered participants. Our students will be divided into sections and will only compete against that section. I fully expect several of our students to make it to the stage and have the opportunity to compete at the next level – the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia in April,” Etters said.
Those advancing to state are as follows:
- Apparel & Accessories Marketing Series: Delia Martinez
- Accounting Applications Series: Karsten Brigman, Charlotte Parham
- Automotive Services Marketing Series: Eric Landeros, Garrett Mader
- Business Finance Series: Aaron Butter, Tucker Hubbard
- Business Services Marketing Series: Drew Allard, Hayden Bailey
- Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making: Emma Mitchell, Riece Moreland
- Independent Business Plan: Hannah Evans, Lucia Walton
- Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan: Wyatt Ramos
- Entrepreneurship Series: Abigail Collins
- Start Up Business Plan: Grayson Copeland, Langston Golden
- Food Marketing Series: Madi Lesur, Madelyn Etters
- Hotel and Lodging Management Series: Alondra Bahena
- Human Resources Management Series: Natalie Estrada, Finn Evans, Mateo Gonzalez, Bella Hefner
- Hospitality Services Team Decision Making: Kaylyn Horner, Aidyn McKeehan
- Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research: Yoseline Angel, Helen Diaz, Maria Resendiz
- International Business Plan: Alexxa Granados, Ashlyn Sanchez
- Marketing Communications Series: Hannah Derington, Aubrey Harris
- Marketing Management Team Decision Making: Adrian Lopez, Isaiah Walker
- Principles of Entrepreneurship: Armando Martinez
- Principles of Finance: Jayla Scheid
- Principles of Marketing: Isha Patel
- Quick Service Restaurant Management Series: Rhett Harrison, Caleb Jones, Francisco Vargas
- Retail Merchandising Series: Ella Greeney, Travis Williams
- Sports & Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making: Tony Mares, Alex Medina
Moving to state means a lot to the DECA team, including applying all that they’ve learned and socializing with other students in the same department they’re going to participate in.
“It is an opportunity to apply the skills I have been practicing within the Business Finance sector at a level of statewide recognition, Butter said. It is also a great opportunity to meet other business oriented students from across the state and form a better personal network.”
“Our students have been practicing every week since October, so seeing them qualify for state is incredibly meaningful,” Etters said.” Their commitment and perseverance have truly paid off, and I’m excited to see what they accomplish at the state level.”
For students like Lesur, the state competition carries even more significance.
“As a DECA competitor that has competed at state since my freshman year, I see this DECA State Conference as my last chance to win and compete at ICDC. So to me, going to state means increased opportunity.”
Etters says it best.
