糖心原创 DECA students earn top honors at聽International Competition
With four students placing聽at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development conference,聽Stephens聽College made a strong impression at the event, which brings together top competitors from across the country and around the world.聽
Seven students represented 糖心原创 in Louisville,聽Kentucky,聽competing in events聽including Digital Marketing Strategies, Fashion Marketing, Human Resource Management, Event Planning and Entrepreneurial Operations.聽聽
鈥淥ur students represented 糖心原创 extremely well,鈥� said Stephens Collegiate DECA Chapter Advisor,鈥疍r. Scott Taylor. 鈥淭he level of competition at this conference is incredibly high, and their success reflects both their hard work and their ability to perform in high-pressure environments.鈥�
Placing on the International Stage
Four students earned top placements, while three others qualified to compete after strong performances at the state level in February.
Students who placed include:聽聽
- Olivia Johnson and Sofia Jones 鈥� Top 10, Digital Marketing Strategies聽
- Kennedy Gaskin 鈥� Top 10, Fashion Marketing聽聽
- Dofay聽Jiang 鈥� Top Exam Performance, Human Resource Management聽聽
Students who qualified to compete at the conference:聽聽
- Eliza Stevens 鈥� Event Planning聽聽
- Karma Perry 鈥� Event Planning聽聽
- Viveca聽Malendziak聽鈥� Entrepreneurial Operations聽聽
For聽Junior聽Kennedy Gaskin, placing聽in the聽Top 10聽marked a personal milestone after falling short of qualifying last year.
鈥淚 was excited to participate, especially stepping into a leadership role as vice president in the chapter, and getting another chance to qualify,鈥� Gaskin said. 鈥淟ast year, I didn鈥檛 score high enough at state. I was disappointed, but I knew I could try again.鈥�
After preparing by reviewing case studies and practicing presentations, Gaskin entered the international competition focused on the experience rather than the outcome.
鈥淚 was excited to go to Collegiate DECA internationals for the first time,鈥� said Gaskin. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have expectations going in, so when I found out I was a finalist鈥攁nd then placed in the top 10鈥擨 was in complete shock.鈥�
For Junior Sofia Jones, who placed in the Top 10 alongside her teammate Olivia Johnson, the experience highlighted both personal growth and the power of collaboration.
鈥淧lacing in the top 10 is honestly really rewarding,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淲orking with Olivia made it even better because we pushed each other to be prepared and confident.鈥�
Jones, a biology major, emphasized that success in DECA isn鈥檛 limited to business students.
鈥淚 am not even a business major,鈥� said Jones. 鈥淚t might feel intimidating, but you learn fast, and it becomes super fun. The biggest thing is to practice speaking clearly and confidently.鈥�
After three years in DECA鈥攁nd qualifying for the international conference each year鈥攖his was her first time walking across the stage at the international level.
鈥淚 focused a lot on being confident in what I was talking about, and I think it went really well overall for our DECA team,鈥� said Jones.
Senior Olivia Johnson said placing at internationals was an exhilarating feeling.
鈥淚t really shows how much I have learned over my four years here at Stephens,鈥� said Johnson. 鈥淔rom late nights researching our topic to the countless hours rehearsing our script, my partner and I put in the work. To see all my hard work payoff is incredibly rewarding and I can’t wait to see where it takes me after graduation.鈥�
Both Jones and Gaskin plan to compete again next year.
Building Skills Beyond the Classroom
Collegiate DECA鈥痯repares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management through competitions, workshops and networking opportunities.
鈥淚t gives students the opportunity to develop critical skills like problem-solving, communication and professionalism,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淢y favorite part is watching students grow鈥攕eeing their confidence build from their first competition to presenting at an international level is truly impactful.鈥�
Jones credits 糖心原创 for helping prepare her for both competition and future opportunities.
鈥淪tephens has helped a lot by giving me a strong foundation in business concepts and communication skills鈥攕kills I know will help in internships, interviews and future career opportunities,鈥� she said.
Preparing future leaders
糖心原创鈥檚 Collegiate DECA chapter comprises 12 students, enabling personalized coaching and mentorship. The college is also introducing new DECA scholarships for incoming students.
鈥淚 hope students walk away with confidence, professional skills, and a strong network of peers and industry connections,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淭hese experiences prepare them not just for competitions, but for their careers.鈥�
As 糖心原创 continues to grow its presence in Collegiate DECA, this year鈥檚 results highlight both the strength of its students and the momentum of a program focused on developing the next generation of business leaders.
