TJ’s DECA program had 34 students qualify for the statewide competition.
photo by Matt Nicolo
On December 11, Johnson and Wales University hosted the District 13 DECA competition where TJ students demonstrated their marketing knowledge, business dress and professional demeanor.
All participants were allowed to choose an event in which they would compete with their peers from TJ and other schools. Some examples of those sections are: Restaurant and Food Service Management, Retail Merchandising, Hotel and Lodging, and Business Services Marketing. “This is my third year competing in the Hotel and Lodging section. They started this section my sophomore year so they were looking for people to join and Nicolo suggested I do it. It’s worked out so far,” said Senior and DECA Officer Alex Gustafson who has qualified for state three years in a row.
The competition entails taking a one-hundred multiple choice question test and partaking in two role-plays. The role-play puts the students in a position where they must demonstrate their knowledge on the subject at hand to a set of judges. They were evaluated based on performance indicators and general people and speaking skills. Every student is given a ten-minute period to prepare before they present their solutions to the judges. “The role-play is really nerve-wracking; I was almost shaking. It was sort of like I was actually applying for a job,” said Senior Brennan Henry.
The students were allowed to mill about the Johnson and Wales campus and enjoy free lunch prepared by the culinary students and staff at the school. This free time gave them a chance to practice role-playing with their peers and prepare by studying marketing vocabulary and concepts.
Both of TJ’s DECA advisors, Danny Showers and Matt Nicolo, play an important role during the competition. Showers helps TJ students find their way around while taking many pictures to share with the school, while Nicolo has the vital task of coordinating all the judges in each section and making sure they are prepared to critique the participants. The volunteer judges are comprised of entrepreneurs, VPs, CEOs, business owners, managers and employees. “It’s a lot of work and requires a lot of follow up but it is worth it when you see the result,” said Nicolo.
The DECA program sent 54 students to the district-wide competition and ended with over 62% of them qualifying. Many of TJ’s participants were even first-time competitors. If a participant does not qualify at Districts he/she still has a chance to create a manual that they will present at State. A manual is a written event that can be built by teams of up to three people.
The State Conference is held in Colorado Springs at the Broadmoor Hotel, a five star resort. The competition lasts four days and three nights, and includes many role-plays and a test but at a more advanced level. The hotel offers many restaurants lounges and scenic areas with which DECA members can keep themselves busy, not to mention the luxurious rooms. The last night is topped off with a dance and an award ceremony honoring those who make it to the National Conference in California. “It is always fun to see the cream of the crop and see how TJ does in relation to other students in the state,” said Nicolo.
The State Conference will take place February 21-23. “I feel like Coach Nicolo and Mr. Showers do a good job to prepare us for state, and once we’re there we understand how vital the competition is and also how well we want to represent not only ourselves but our chapter,” said Senior and DECA Officer Tino Lamorie.
