Northport HS DECA Students Compete At NYS Competition

NORTHPORT, NY — Sixteen Northport High School DECA business students competed at the NYS DECA Career Conference in Rochester from March 7 through March 10, and two Northport students qualified for the International Career Conference in Disney World in April, according to the school district.

Students competed in the state competition by completing written exams, role plays and case studies.

With 90 schools and 2,400 students in attendance, students had to show off their business savvy in order to impress judges. Students competed in marketing, finance, business administration and entrepreneurship.

Charlie Friedman and Sebastian Ko, both from Northport, medaled on their exams in Quick Serve Restaurant Management and Accounting Applications. Jessica Ochoa medaled on the exam and role play and was in the top 10 overall in Apparel & Accessories. Ian Gallo was top 10 in Marketing Communications, which he earned by medaling in the exam and role play. Olivia Aguirre earned a third-place overall trophy in Retail Merchandising, and Hannah Cho earned a second-place overall trophy in Entrepreneurship.

Aguirre and Cho qualified for the International Career Conference.

Students expressed that the competition further cemented their interest in the business field.

"DECA States really encouraged me to work harder and find creative solutions in business," Cho said. "It was amazing to meet people from across New York who inspire me to become better."

Aguirre said the DECA states experience was a great learning experience for her and allowed her to push herself to think strategically.

"The lessons learned about business will definitely help me now and in the future," she said.