Cranford DECA Students Excel at State Conference

Congratulations to the Cranford High School students who placed in the top six of their events at the New Jersey DECA State Career Development Conference which was held from March 4-6, 2019 in Atlantic City, NJ. This accomplishment allows them to compete at the 2019 DECA International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida this April. Cranford High School sent 45 students to this conference to compete against more than 5,000 students representing 108 schools from across New Jersey.

The following students will be representing Cranford in Orlando, Florida:
2nd Place - Christopher Guiditta & Hannah McCarthy, Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision-Making Event
3rd Place - Kathryn Pringle, Hotel and Lodging Management, and a $500 scholarship sponsored by Johnson and Wales University
6th Place - Kevin O’Donovan, Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series Event
6th Place - Robert Kelly, Principles of Hospitality and Tourism

Also earning an invitation to the International DECA Leadership Conference are Grace Power and William Johnson for winning the Open Event/Video Challenge. In this event, teams were given the challenge of creating a one-minute promotional video for DECA. We are proud to say that Cranford’s team took the top spot from a field of 28 schools and their video was shown to the entire assembly of students during the Grand Award Ceremony.

Other NJ State Finalists and their events include:

Emma Lore, Apparel and Accessories, Role Play 1
Madison Howells, Restaurant and Food Service Marketing, Role Play 1
Robert Kelly, Principles of Hospitality, Role Play
Kevin O’Donovan, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Role Play 1
Christopher Guiditta and Hannah McCarthy, Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision-Making, Role Play

Advisor Mrs. Donna Cathcart was also recognized for 20 years of service to Cranford High School DECA. Ms. Cathcart quotes,“As always, Cranford students make their families, school, and community proud. It has been a joy to work with such talented teens over the years.” Co-advisor, Mrs. Cynthia Keyasko says, “Every year I am amazed at how well our students conduct themselves at the conference. They are motivated and driven, and it is a pleasure to accompany them.”

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA is a program for business-minded students looking to find real-world applications for what they learn in their business classes. At the conference, students are presented with business scenarios, given a brief amount of time to creatively solve the problem, and role play the solution before a business professional. In addition to the role play, all DECA members are required to take a written test in their chosen area.
Congratulations to all Cranford High School DECA delegates who attended this conference and continued the tradition of pride and success. We look forward to continuing this exceptional learning experience at ICDC in Orlando, Florida.