What do you get when you put over 150 teenagers and 25 advisors in one hotel for three days and two nights?

In the case of the 52nd Annual DECA State Career Development Conference, what you get is hard work, pride, and a whole lot of fun.

Once again, students from around Vermont proved that they have learned a great deal about a chosen career, about customer service, and about individual responsibility.

Thirteen Randolph Technical Career Center students from Business Management, Building Trades, and Culinary Arts, along with chaperone advisors Jan Stratton and Jerry Sullivan, were participants in this event, returning with handfuls of certificates and medals. RTCC students proved their skills when every single student received at least one award!

Every attending student must take several written tests, including one on general business knowledge and one on business math. Competing against 150 students makes it extremely difficult to be recognized for excellence. Mary Valler and Taylor Benson both received Honorable Mention for their performances in the math competition.

Every team of two students also has the opportunity to create a window display which must be portable and able to be set up in 30 minutes. Students must also complete a written test related to display and design. Kearney Leonard and Alicia Hrubovcak received Honorable Mention awards for their excellent test scores. The actual displays are judged by design professionals, Kearney Leonard and Kristina Turner received a coveted Overall Honorable Mention for their combined test and display scores.

Every attending student must compete in a major event of their choosing. These events are in three parts: a written test, a role play related to Human Resources (HR), and a role play related to Product/Services (PS). The role plays are judged by business leaders from throughout Vermont. Doing exceptionally well in all three areas may result in an additional award for Overall Achievement in their event. Receiving recognition for these events were:

Josh Ashley: Quick Serve Restaurant Marketing written test Honorable Mention; HR role play 2nd place; PS role play Honorable Mention; Overall 2nd place.

Taylor Benson: Marketing Management written test 2nd place; HR role play 2nd place; Overall Honorable Mention.

Travis Cole: Automotive Services Marketing written test, Honorable Mention; HS role play 1st place; Overall 3rd place.

Lark Delaney: Hotel and Lodging Management HR role play Honorable Mention.

Casey Galluzzo: Quick Serve Restaurant Marketing written test 3rd place; Overall 3rd place.

Kearney Leonard: Food Marketing Services written test Honorable Mention; HR role play 1st place; PS role play 2nd place; Overall 2nd place.

Mashia McCullough: Apparel and Accessories PS role play Honorable Mention.

Anthony Stape: Restaurant and Food Service Management written test Honorable Mention; HR role play Honorable Mention; Overall Honorable Mention.

Dakota Stender: Business Services Marketing PS role play, 1st place; Overall 3rd place.

Mary Valler: Apparel and Accessories written test, 2nd place.

Brittany Vilbrin: Ad Cluster written test, 3rd place; radio ad, 2nd place; ad layout, 3rd place.