CHS Students Excel at the DECA Regional Competition

Cranford High School Students impressed us once again with 44 DECA members advancing in the top of their business events at the Regional DECA Competition which was held on Jan. 8, 2015, at Kean University.
This made them not only eligible to compete in the New Jersey DECA Leadership Conference in Cherry Hill, NJ on February 25-27th, but also marked another milestone for Cranford’s DECA Chapter with membership at an all-time high of 145 members and a record-topping 44 delegates advancing to the State level.
The DECA Program is aimed at helping students prepare for business careers. The program, an association of marketing students, builds self-esteem and leadership skills, and teaches students to practice community service. The students are advised by Business Management teachers Donna Cathcart and Cindy Keyasko.
Of the 44 students to advance, four received first place, four received second place, and four received third place. In addition, all students below placed in the top ten of their business specialties. For the competition, each student completed a one-hour written test focused on their area of interest — then read, prepared for, and executed role-play scenarios.
Business, marketing, and accounting professionals served as judges for more than 1,500 students attending the regional competition from across Central New Jersey.
Coming in first place were Jason Cabrita for Retail Merchandising, Kelly Drake for Food Marketing Series, David Debole for Hotel and Lodging Management and Michael Armstrong for Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series. Second place winners were; Victoria Herlocker for Apparel and Accessories Marketing, Sean Halpin for Human Resource Management, William Pritchett for Marketing Management, Nicole Schimmenti for Sports and Entertainment Marketing. Third place winners were; Jennifer Shore for Food Marketing, Ben Bacall for Principles of Business Management and Administration, Olivia Delveccio for Quick Serve Restaurant Management and the Team of Lindsey Caverly and Kayla Principe for Travel and Tourism Marketing.

Also placing in their respective events was: The team of Matthew Fonseca and Jeremy Hunt for Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Series. Placing in the area of Accounting Applications are Abigail Hipkin, John Ross, Gregory Reilly and Nathan Sands. Placing in the category of Automotive Services Marketing are Brett Mallon and Phillip Triano. Placing in Business Finance Services are Yueqing Chen and Jake Steele. In Business Services Marketing are Kevin Roman, Kevin Szczech and Ryan Donovan. Placing in Food Marketing Series are Alexander Levy, Rebecca Piassek and Natalie Schenker. In Hotel and Lodging Management are Carley Quirin, Jillian DeVoti and Katherine Drewniak. In Human Resource Management are Samuel Grossman, Dan Cagney and Megan Power. Placing in Hospitality Services Management Team Event was the team of Sabrina Lijo and Carlo Orlandi. Placing in Principals of Hospitality and Tourism was Olivia Klimko. Placing in Principles of Marketing was John Debaro and Max Kopola. Placing in Restaurant and Food Service was Roisin O’Donovan. Placing in Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series was Olivia Delveccio. Placing in Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series was John DeVoti, Steven Bonanne and James Campbell.
Decca prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
Congratulations to all Cranford High School students on a job well done!