CLEARFIELD – Six students from the Clearfield County Career & Technology Center’s Business Management and Marketing program competed in the DECA District 4/5 Competition on Dec. 11 at Celebration Hall in State College.
This event gave the students an opportunity to show business professionals and volunteer judges that they have the skills to become the world’s future workforce leaders. These competitions are also an opportunity for business professionals to interact one-on-one with students educated in the free-enterprise system, and to get a sneak peek at their potential future employees.
Students from the State College Area High School competed in the comprehensive school division and students from the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center and the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center competed in the career and technical center division;. They were vying for the right to advance to Pennsylvania’s DECA’s State Career Development Conference held annually in February at the Hershey Lodge.
Kilee Hanes, Curwensville, and Maggie Naddeo, Clearfield, placed first in the Hospitality Services team event. Elizabeth Dunsmore and Jesse Kruis, both from Clearfield, placed first in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing team event. Chris Young Jr., Clearfield, placed first in the Principles of Business Management event. Kim Smeal placed second in Hotel & Lodging Management. All six students will advance to the DECA State Competition in Hershey. Chris Hutton, Curwensville, will represent CCCTC as voting delegate at the state competition.
Marketing educators and professionals have designed these events to help students learn skills for careers in marketing, management, merchandising and entrepreneurship. Regardless of the event, every competition provides a constructive avenue for individual and team expression, initiative and creativity.