Orono Students Promote the American Dream

With hard work you can achieve anything—that's the American dream.

It's also the motto followed by Orono juniors Ben Engler and Rachiel Kennen, first-place winners in the International Business Plan Division at this year's International DECA Career Development Conference in Orlando, FL.

Orono marketing teacher and DECA advisor, Keith Jurek, described the commitment and talent that it takes to win.

“Earning a first place in any event at the International Conference is extremely challenging, and very few kids have the dedication to the necessary legwork to put themselves in a position to earn this,” he said. “Very few have the presence, poise and confidence to deliver just the right presentation, with the right set of judges at just the right time.”

Although armed with a well-researched and fine-tuned 30-page proposal to establish a Play It Again Sports franchise in Spain, Engler and Kennen said that it takes more than just a good plan to land the deal.

“I don't think we necessarily had the best idea at the conference in moving Play It Again Sports to Spain, but we learned a lot about how to convince people that it is the best idea,” said Engler. “You have to be really enthusiastic. You have to really believe that it is the best thing.”

When researching, Kennen said they asked themselves the following questions: “What are the judges looking for? What will make them say 'wow'? What answers their questions before they even have to ask them?”

According to Kennen and Engler, little details like handing out business cards to the judges at the end of their presentation also helped them to stand out.

Both students agree that DECA—offered through their marketing class—has given them a taste of the real world.

“DECA teaches you things that you can't necessarily learn in the classroom—how to handle yourself in the business setting, even something as simple as shaking someone's hand,” explained Kennen.

Describing their opportunity of presenting their proposal to Winmark, a franchise company for Play It Again Sports, Engler said that “it was very cool. It felt like it had turned into a job instead of just a classroom thing.”

At the tender age of 17, having already handled the pressures of presenting in front of a real company and several judges, Engler and Kennen feel ready to meet future challenges.

“I think the whole business situation, going into a meeting, being professional—no matter what we decide to do, that's going to apply to the future,” said Engler. “I'm so comfortable with that now.”

Kennan agreed.

“I just feel comfortable being professional—being able to prove your point, sell yourself and persuade in a professional manner,” she said.

Jurek describes Engler and Kennen as "very bright and intelligent kids.” He also added that they are “two of the hardest working kids.”

Engler said business is like the American Dream.

“However hard you work is what you can achieve,” he said.

Concurring, Kennen added, “If you work hard, it can pay off. If you go the extra mile, it pays off—not being scared and taking the opportunities that are presented to you.”