Bremen DECA Excels at Nationwide Competition

DECA, also known as "Distributive Education Clubs of America," is an association of students that encourages the development of business and leadership skills through academic conferences and competitions.

At Bremen High School, the Braves aren't hesitating to show off how much they've learned.

23 Bremen High School DECA students have been excelling in the Knowledge Matters Virtual Business Challenge. Throughout the competition, students can participate in eight virtual business tracks such as entrepreneurship, fashion, accounting, hotel, personal finance, restaurant, retailing, and sports. Each track encourages DECA members to test their skills within its particular virtual business environment – individually or as a team of up to three members

Over 3,500 participants from all 50 states and Canada registered for the competition this year.

At Bremen High School, 23 of these participants are recognized as top 10 in the state for their perspective categories.

• Alex Hernandez, Entrepreneurship, 4th in State
• Gerardo Mondragon, Entrepreneurship, 4th in State
• Jesus Cruz, Entrepreneurship, 4th in State
• Beyonce Gutierrez, Entrepreneurship, 6th in State
• Evelyn Roman, Fashion, 6th in State
• Angel Nunez, Fashion, 9th in State
• Dayanara Lemus, Fashion, 10th in State
• Andrea Correa, Restaurant, 5th in State
• Alyna Garibaldi, Restaurant, 5th in State
• Camryn Ferrin, Restaurant, 5th in State
• Luis Contreras, Restaurant, 6th in State
• Sophia Pritchett, Restaurant, 9th in State
• Brandon Mercado, Hotel, 2nd in State
• Steven Josephson, Hotel 4th in State
• Jordy Martinez, Hotel, 5th in State
• Jovany Acuna, Hotel, 6th in State
• Alan Chavez, Hotel, 7th in State
• Angel Diaz, Hotel, 8th in State
• Jaylan Holder, Hotel, 9th in State
• Jada Borum, Sports, 10th in State
• Josue Arriaga, Sports, 3rd in State
• Johanna Martinez, Sports, 6th in State
• Esther Martinez, Sports, 7th in State

Bremen students also excelled in the National competition. With over 5,000 students competing, all students placed in the top 10 percentile. 13 of those students placed in the top two percent of the competition, and one student, Brandon Mercado, placed in the top one percent as he came in 30th place in the hotel challenge.

The Knowledge Matters Virtual Business Challenge is split into two rounds of challenges held via the internet during the 2021-2022 school year. The first challenges took place between October 19, 2021, through October 29, 2021. The second round of challenges will take place January 18, 2022, through January 28, 2022.

After second rounds are completed, high-ranking teams will qualify to compete in the live event at DECA's International Career Development Conference where a final competition will ensue and awards will be distributed.

• Recognition under the DECA area at www.KnowledgeMatters.com

• $1,000/team ($6,000 for Hotel*)
• Recognition at the Grand Awards Ceremony at the ICDC
• Plaque
• Recognition under the DECA area at www.KnowledgeMatters.com

• $500/team ($3,000 for Hotel*)
• Recognition at the Grand Awards Ceremony at the ICDC
• Plaque

• $250/team ($1,500 for Hotel, 4th Place $900 for Hotel*)
• Recognition at the Grand Awards Ceremony at the ICDC
• Plaque

DECA at Bremen High School is led by Business Teacher, Mr. Todd Strien. The club regularly competes in local, state, and national competitions.