Seneca junior among 25 DECA competitors

Seneca High School’s DECA chapter demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement at the New Jersey DECA State Career Development Conference last month in Atlantic City.

Twenty-five students represented Seneca, competing in a range of rigorous business and marketing events. Seven students earned qualification for the state competition, while others showcased their skills through comprehensive 20-page written papers or 20-slide pitch decks.

DECA – formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America – is a nonprofit that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in high schools and colleges around the world through student clubs.

Among the standout performers, junior Victoria Rutkowski qualified for the prestigious International Career Development Conference for the third consecutive year.

“Over the past three years, DECA has become a big part of my academic life,” Rutkowski noted. “I enjoy challenging myself at competitions, meeting new people, learning new things and experiencing new locations. I’m honored to have won states and district competitions over the course of my membership, and I’m proud that the hard work I put in led me to those moments.

“I dedicate a lot to DECA, both in competing and helping the club continue to run, and now I’m excited to see what next year holds.”

Seneca also had an impressive showing at the district competition on Jan. 6, where students demonstrated professionalism; critical thinking; and real-world problem solving across marketing, finance, hospitality and entrepreneurship events.

“I am incredibly proud of our DECA students this year,” said chapter advisor and business Seneca teacher Kristina Foster. “From studying for exams to researching their events and practicing role plays, they put in tremendous effort. The dedication of every member, whether advancing to states or supporting the chapter, reflects the strength of our chapter and the real-world skills DECA develops.”

Several students earned top placements at the districts level on Jan. 6 and advanced to states:

• – Senior Kate Kutsmeda, placed first in food marketing.
• – Senior Nicholas Perez-Moreno, first in the accounting series.
• – Rutkowski placed second in retail merchandising.
• – Senior Landon Boudreaux and junior Cole Alloway placed in the top eight for buying and merchandising.
• – Junior Danielle Winters made the eight in business services marketing.
• – Senior Anny Hernandez-Casio placed in the top eight for marketing communications.

Students also earned individual mini-awards for outstanding performance on exams and role plays at the district competition:

• – Senior Jake Levin placed third on his exam for the accounting application series.
• – Senior Nicholas Perez-Moreno, second in role play for the accounting application series.
• – Sophomore Cecilia Whitman placed third in her role play for the business finance series.
• – Junior Danielle Winters placed second on her exam in the business services marketing series.
• – Senior Landon Boudreaux placed second on his exam for buying and merchandising management team decision-making.
• – Senior Landon Boudreaux and junior Cole Alloway placed second in role play for buying and merchandising management team decision making.
• – Senior Kate Kutsmeda placed first on her food marketing series exam.
• – Junior Nadia Strobl placed third in her role play for the food marketing series.
• – Senior Kate Kutsmeda placed third in her role play food marketing series.
• – Sophomore Maia Giacalone placed third in her role play for the quick serve restaurant management series.
  • – Rutkowski placed first on her exam for retail merchandising.

The Seneca DECA chapter is preparing for the upcoming International Career Development Conference from April 25 to 28 in Atlanta, where Rutkowski will compete against top qualifiers from around the world.