By Lauren Hochheiser and Brooke Blumberg

DECA is a non-profit student organization that has over 200,000 members worldwide in places such as the US, China, Canada, Germany, District of Columbia, Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain, to name a few. It is a business organization that prepares students for careers in the business world and helps to enhance their skills. Our school has well over 100 DECA members and is led by Mr. Cappiello, an HSE business teacher. DECA worldwide has 3,500 high school chapters and 275 college chapters. On Wednesday, January 4, the DECA annual regional competition was held at Suffolk Community College in which participants from all over Suffolk County competed in various business categories. Many High School East DECA members attended the competition in order to show off their skills. There are 24 different categories in which students may chose to compete. Some of these categories include finance, accounting, hospitality/tourism, business management, marketing, and communications. Students have the option of taking a written test or participating in a role play. A role play is an interactive presentation or interview in which students are required to speak in front of a panel of business professionals. High School East had 44 winners that are eligible to attend the New York State DECA championship that will take place in March in Rochester, New York. High School East always performs exceptionally well at the regional competition and has many students move on to the state championship, and this year was no exception. At the state competition, students are required to do both a role play event and take a written assessment. If students qualify at the state level, there is an international competition that takes place in Anaheim, California. Congratulations to all of the DECA winners at this past competition, and best of luck to all continuing on the next level!

Photo by Mr. Rendon