U-46 students taking leadership skills to national tourney

Submitted by U-46

More than 2,000 students in Illinois are members of DECA, an international association started in 1946. The mission of the organization is to “prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs of careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges.”

Students from around the state participated in the DECA Conference held March 8-10 in Decatur. Elgin Area School District U-46 students took first place in their respective categories and qualified to attend the International DECA Conference in April in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Streamwood High School DECA had a very successful State Conference in Decatur. Twelve students qualified for the International DECA Conference. Twenty-four of the 30 students attending were state finalists at the grand award ceremony on Saturday.

Ÿ First-place winners: Jacqueline Martinez, financial literacy promotion event; Sabrina Minhas, hotel and lodging management; and Amanda Lehman and Miranda Shaw, international business.

Ÿ Second-place winners: Rosel Leandicho, full-service restaurant management; and Sammi Almasri, marketing management

Ÿ Third-place winners: Justine Braden, Devin Hinkle, Audrey Kopecky, international business; Grace Bellino, business services; Jasiah Latifi, apparel and accessories; and Maria Marton, professional selling event.