26 Vipers go to DECA international competition

Vandegrift sent 26 DECA students to the international competition in Atlanta.

One team earns 3rd in world

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Twenty-six Vandegrift DECA members competed at the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta last week. Many students advanced and one team placed third in the world.

“For the first time in school history, we have a team get 3rd place! Karla Trujillo and Cecilia Reis placed 3rd in the world,” said Erin Lucas, VHS teacher and DECA advisor.

VHS had four events final in competition which means they were at least top 20 in their event out of 20,000 students from around the world.

“Finaling in one event was the most we (VHS) has ever had for our chapter! With 20,000 kids competing, finaling is incredibly difficult,” said Erin Mathis, VHS teacher and DECA advisor.

The students who advanced to finals were: Natasha Richtermer, Ishika Puri and Codi Farmer for their business marketing operation research paper;

Rena Liang, Genevieve Bentancourt and Jessica Luo for innovation plan paper:

Trujillo and Reis for marketing team decision making; and Celina Pan for professional selling event

Lauryn Spinetta was also recognized on stage for being a Vandegrift student who earned a $207,616 United States Military Academy scholarship.

“Erin Lucas and I incredibly proud of all our kids,” Mathis said. “It has been an exceptional end to a wonderful year in DECA!”