In the latter part of 2019 at Regionals, which took place at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill, 65 of Eastern’s students placed (received a medal) and 67 of Eastern’s students advanced to States.

  President of DECA Taylor Ruiz, a senior, was excited, as it was her third time she advanced to States.

  “I took a lot of practice tests and I was able to prepare ahead of time,” said Ruiz, who has been doing DECA for three years. Ruiz initially joined DECA because she wanted to put it on her resume, but as time flew by, she eventually grew passionate about DECA and her presentation topic – hospitality and tourism. When it comes to a future job profession, Ruiz hopes to pursue a career that has to do with management.

  Marissa Nissley, the vice president of DECA, who also chose hospitality and tourism as her presentation topic – was excited as well.

  “I’ve made it all four years and it feels great. I joined DECA because I have an interest in business and it helps me achieve the goals I need to thrive,” said Nissley, who has been doing DECA for all four years of high school. To prepare for States, Nissley took a couple of helpful practice tests and practiced her presentation to her dogs. Nissley hopes to pursue a career in corporate law when she gets older.

  One of the secretaries of DECA, Sahil Doshi, says that it’s pretty cool that he will be able to stay overnight in an Atlantic City hotel and hang out with the competitors.

  “I have an interest in business and DECA is a good way to learn about different fields,” said Doshi. He has prepared his online portfolio management presentation by looking over a separate pre-made presentation. After that, Doshi practiced presenting it to other people, so he could receive feedback to make changes. Doshi, who’s a junior and has been in DECA for three years, hopes to pursue a career in marketing.

  When asked about being stressed out during the competition, DECA event coordinator and senior Wesley Andrews was initially, but over time, it stress turned into confidence.  

  “I was really anxious when I started, but over the years, once I get started talking, all my nerves go away. I just remind myself that the competition isn’t life or death. I just take a few deep breaths and I just start going,” said Andrews, who has been doing DECA for three years and wants to pursue a career in sports marketing.

  DECA vice president Brenna Masterson, a senior, like many other students, was required to take DECA because she took marketing honors.

  Masterson too marketing honors and Eastern required to take DECA. She was initially hesitant to join DECA, but she has grown to love it over the past three years,” said Masterson. She feels proud of herself when her financial consulting presentation impressed the judges and got her into States.

  Mrs. Lowery, who’s been the lead advisor of Eastern DECA for twelve years, stresses the sheer importance of DECA for students.

  She said it opens the eyes of students on how to interact with an adult other than their parents or their teachers.  It lets them apply concepts learned in class and it helps the school create a community. “DECA brings the students an abundance of opportunities,” Lowery said. “It also helps that it looks great on your resume.”

  States will take place from March 2nd to March 4th at the Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City.