Ten Rockwall ISD DECA students named state finalists, four advance to international competition

Ten Rockwall ISD DECA students named state finalists, four advance to international competition
From left: Rich McDermott, Lilly Cardenas, Meghan McGriff, Bryxxton Ramirez, Leila Kavazi, Ayden Bazan, Hill Rukobo, Kayla James, Tyler Burpee, Amir Rabah

(ROCKWALL, TX)  Ten Dr. Gene Burton College & Career DECA students are state finalists and four will advance to compete at the DECA International Competition.  DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

“Beyond the risk-taking attitude, quest for knowledge and the work ethic required to compete, I’m seeing these students discover, analyze, reflect upon and develop their own personal brands. Consciously working to be their best so they can give the best to others. They are our future—and it’s incredibly bright!” said DECA Advisor, Dori Brown.

Four State Finalists and International Qualifiers:

Ayden Bazan (RHS senior) & Hill Rukobo (RHS senior) – Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making

Leila Kavazi (RHS senior) – Marketing Communications Series

Bryxxton Ramirez (RHHS senior) – Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series

Six State Finalists and International Alternates:

Kayla James (RHHS senior) – Entrepreneurship Series

Tyler Burpee (RHHS senior) – Entrepreneurship Series

Meghan McGriff (RHHS junior) – Principles of Marketing

Amir Rabah (RHHS senior) – Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series

Rich McDermott (RHS senior) & Lillian “Lilly” Cardenas (RHS junior) – Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making

The four International Qualifiers will now work to improve their business marketing knowledge (for exam) and role-play performances to be presented to a judge at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). ICDC will be held in Nashville, TN, April 28-May 3, 2020.

DECA members would like to thank the financial and personal support received from Rockwall Ford, Alliance Bank, Premier Properties Group, Rockwall High School PTA and Rockwall-Heath High School PTA. As judges, mentors and community partners, student lives are impacted with each experience.

Information submitted for publication in Blue Ribbon News by Dori Brown, Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy | Rockwall ISD, CTE Marketing Teacher, DECA Advisor, Marketing Practicum I & II, Entrepreneurship, Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Social Media Marketing

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