DECA names UCS student stores among best in nation

Three Utica Community Schools student stores have been named among the best in the nation by Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) International.

The school-based enterprise (SBE) at Henry Ford II, Stevenson and Utica High schools were among more than 200 school stores in the United States achieving gold level certification or re-certification this year and will be recognized at DECA’s International Career Development conference in Orlando, Florida.

“I am excited to have led such a dedicated team to achieve their goal of receiving this honor,” said Dana Boice, advisor to the UHS Cheiftain Connection. “This award not only represents the commitment of the SBE team but also the entire school store staff.”

The UHS store has earned the certification for four straight years. Students writing this year’s certification manual were Robert Syfert, Stephen Smith and Tayler Monroe.

This is the second straight year for the Henry Ford II store know as the Ford Dealers.

“I am very proud of the students for achieving gold level re-certification,” said marketing teacher and DECA advisor Jennifer DeClerck, with store coordinator and DECA advisor Nick Kawala. “Through teamwork and leadership, they help the store become a more vibrant and exciting place to work and learn about marketing. They worked extremely hard and are very dedicated to DECA and the success of the store. “

The Ford II certification manual was submitted by students Matt Selleke, Salvatore Shkreli and Kevin Kelly.

This is the first year for the Stevenson High School store.

“Earning gold level certification from DECA, a nationally recognized student organization, for the Titan Shoppe is a great achievement for our store,” said marketing teacher Heather Gabriel. “It validates all of the work the students do on a daily basis in the operation of the Titan Shoppe. It gives us the opportunity to showcase the career skills that are taught in the classroom and applied in the school store.”

She said: “I am proud of the determination of our store students in achieving gold level certification. Titan Shoppe staff all work very hard to make our store a great place within our school community.”

The Stevenson certification manual was written by Taylor Miodonski and Brenda Zefi.

School-based Enterprises are effective educational tools in helping to prepare students for the transition from school to work or college. For many students, they provide the first work experience; for others, they provide an opportunity to build management, supervision and leadership skills.

While some in the education community have only recently discovered the value of SBEs, marketing educators and DECA advisors have used them as a powerful learning lab for more than four decades.

DECA’s school-based enterprise certification program was developed to provide recognition for outstanding achievement by and to motivate SBEs to strive for excellence and to grow.

School stores can be certified at three levels: bronze, silver or gold. In order to apply for the certification, SBEs must submit extensive documentation (manuals) showing how they have achieved set standards that are outlined in the certification guidelines.

After the documentation is submitted, a review committee evaluates the documentation to determine which level of certification has been achieved.

Complete information about DECA’s school-based enterprise certification program can be found at www.deca.org/sbe.