West Bloomfield High School (WBHS) – April 25-30, 2017. A record number of 34 students from the West Bloomfield High School (WBHS) DECA chapter traveled to Anaheim, California to attend the 71st annual DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC). Every year, DECA students from all over the world gathered at the ICDC to compete in different business competitions. Students who attend ICDC are viewed as the “best of the best” in their category. These students competed at the regional level and then the State level.  The State competition was held in early March – approximately 4000 students throughout the State of Michigan gathered to compete.  The International competition culminated for the school year in Anaheim, California.

This year’s conference brought over 19,000 top high school student performers and advisors from all 50 states, U. S. territories, and nine foreign countries to compete in 36 different events. Students prepare year-round for business events that include concentrations in business, hospitality, law, marketing, public relations, or finance.

On behalf of WBHS, we are very proud to acknowledge the ICDC qualifiers and winners (listed below) and their categories during this conference.

Max Barash, (9), Sports and Entertainment Operations Research

Nolan Beaty, (10), Business Growth Plan

Hafsa Bilal (12), Franchise Business Plan

Brian Bembas (11), Creative Marketing Project and Virtual Business Challenge Sports

Sydney Bruce (11), Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research

Jack Budde (11), Sports and Entertainment Operations Research

Josh Carlin (11), Virtual Business Challenge Sports

Jake Cohen (11), Virtual Business Challenge Sports

Josh Cooper  (12), Public Relations Project

Brandon Crawford (12), Public Relations Project

Zachary Crawford (10), Public Relations Project

Krish Deodhar  (10), Public Relations Project

Vietress Feller (11), Virtual Business Challenge Hotel

Lauren Gagnon (11), Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research

Maria Kakos (11), Virtual Business Challenge Hotel

Brady Kay (12), Sports and Entertainment Operations Research

Nathan Kinner (12), Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research and Virtual Business Challenge Hotel

Matthew Ladouceur (11), Creative Marketing Project and Virtual Business Challenge Sports

David Martin (9), Sports and Entertainment Operations Research

Marcus Mclaughlin (11), Creative Marketing Project

Rei Mizuno (11), Finance Operations Research Event and Virtual Business Challenge Hotel

Brianna Morigney (12), Franchise Business Plan

Oghenekevwe Okagvare (12), Virtual Business Challenge Hotel and Virtual Business Challenge Retail

Amyl Patterson (12), Start-up Business Plan

Collin Pintamo (11), Finance Operations Research Event

Daniel Pore (12), Virtual Business Challenge Retail

Sam Rudin (9), Sports and Entertainment Marketing Operations Research

Jack Rudin (12), Sports and Entertainment Marketing Operations Research

Nick Seidel (11), Virtual Business Challenge Sports

Kenneth Tobin (12), Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research, Virtual Business Challenge Retail and Virtual Business Challenge Hotel

Alex Weiss  (12), Independent Business Plan

Lauren Zimmerman (12), Public Relations Project

Kayla Zrepskey (11), Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research

Kasper Zemajitis (11), Virtual Business Challenge Sports

About West Bloomfield High School DECA:

West Bloomfield DECA is an International Competitive Business Organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in four fields of business: marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. The West Bloomfield High School DECA chapter integrates classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business, and promotes competition in order to prepare the next generation to be academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, and experienced leaders. Students enrolled in any West Bloomfield High School Business class may participate in DECA.

Spectrum reached out to some top finishers:

Brandon Crawford-

“DECA has definitely helped shape my career aspirations and goals. I was in DECA for three years. When I was a Sophomore, I joined DECA and my first competition was a role play.  Unfortunately, I didn’t make it past districts, but I learned a lot that year. During my Junior and Senior years, I competed in the Public Relations Project category. While working on these two projects, I realized how much I really enjoy public relations and communications. I enjoy it so much, that I currently intern with Pamela Zajac at the West Bloomfield School District Community Relations and Marketing department. In college, I plan to study Public Relations/Communications/Business.”

“My favorite DECA memory has to be winning first place at the International Career Development Conference this past April in Anaheim. I was truly shocked.  Additionally, I have met some amazing people and have done amazing things with DECA; like last year, line dancing in Nashville, Tennessee, and this year, hanging out at The Grove in Hollywood.”

“I worked on a Public Relations Project with my brother, Zachary (Sophomore) and Lauren Zimmerman (Senior). We were a Michigan DECA State Champion and won First Place at the International Career Development Conference. This was a phenomenal, surreal accomplishment and one that I will treasure my entire life.  I couldn’t have accomplished this without the fantastic DECA Advisors, Ms. Evola, Ms. Zalla, and Mrs. Sallen and my amazing teammates, Zachary and Lauren!”

Matthew Ladouceur-

“My participation in DECA has influenced me to want to become an entrepreneur in my future.”

“My favorite DECA memory was at internationals having Mrs. Evola and everyone else from our school cheer us on while we competed live.”

“This year at internationals I earned 1st place with my teammates and was able to gain valuable knowledge about the business world.”

Josh Cooper-

“DECA, unlike many other clubs at the High School level, has exposed me to real world hands on experience. DECA, has given me an opportunity to immerse myself into the work force of today so that I can  play a vital role in shaping the work force of tomorrow.”

“My favorite memory from DECA is this years flag ceremony at the international conference. Watching the various countries come out and represent their nation was an incredible experience.”

“I placed Top 10 in the world in the Public Relations Project Event.”

Connect with Us:

Facebook: West Bloomfield High School Business Academy

Twitter: @wbhsmarketing

Instagram: @wbdeca

Contact Information

To learn more, please contact:

Julie Zalla, DECA Advisor

West Bloomfield High School DECA

[email protected]