Hopedale DECA to send 4 Students to the International Competition in Anaheim!  

From March 9th - 11th, 24 Hopedale DECA members joined 2,700 participants at the DECA State Career Development Conference in Boston. DECA is an organization that prepares emerging leaders for careers in marketing, management, hospitality and finance.  HJSHS students competed in a variety of events ranging from written projects on financial literacy and an advertising campaign, to individual competitions in Hotel and Lodging Management and Sports and Entertainment Marketing, to team events in Marketing Management and Travel and Tourism.  In addition to completing two role play events with judges and a 100-question exam, students who attended learned and practiced valuable business and interpersonal skills they will continue to apply while progressing through their high school and college careers.  
All DECA members performed well at the event, receiving a Certificate for a score above the National Standard (70) in one or more areas of the competition. Four members qualified for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Anaheim, CA, from April 26 - 30, joining 12,000 competitors from around the United States, China, Canada, and Mexico.  The team of Mitchell Siefring, Gerry Crepeau, and Cam Smith’s hard work (writing a 30 page paper) and excellent presentation skills (preparing and presenting a 15 minute presentation) earned them 2nd place in the Financial Literacy Promotion Plan event, based on the Financial Fitness Fair held this past December.  Kendall Zonghi placed 6th in the Principles of Finance individual event.  Hopedale DECA advisor Talitha Oliveri remembers, “I attended ICDC as a high school student and to this day, over 25 years later, I still remember the sheer magnitude and excitement of the experience.”
Many people and businesses went above and beyond to help Hopedale DECA reach its’ goal of attending states.  When asked about the group’s’ recipe for success, Mrs. Oliveri defers to a team effort. “Without the help of HJSHS chaperones Jill DiAntonio and Lauren Chase, the support from parents and guardians for extracurricular experiences, and the staff and community of Hopedale, this would not be possible.  All members of our community continually support the growth of Hopedale DECA and all students inside and outside the classroom!”  Platinum level sponsor Consigli Construction Company, Gold level sponsor Milford National Bank, and many additional Silver and Bronze level sponsors helped reduce the cost of attending states and helped to support the Hopedale DECA program.  
So how will Cam, Mitchell, Gerry, and Kendall make it to the International Competition?  According to senior Cameron Smith, “Dollar by dollar.  Mitchell, Gerry and I created a gofundme page to help defray the cost of going to Anaheim.  We sent the link to everyone we know - $1500 per person is a lot of money to raise!”  Hopedale DECA would like to ask the community for help.  If anyone has a connection with a company or individual who would be willing to support these four and their advisor to compete in California, please visit www.gofundme.com/hopedaledeca . For more information on how to support Hopedale DECA’s quest for Internationals, please contact toliveri@hopedaleschools.org or visit www.deca.hopedaleschools.org.