VTHS DECA team heads to nationals

VERNON — Members of the Vernon Township High School DECA chapter traveled to Atlantic City recently for the annual State Career Development Conference.
In total, 60 students competed as individuals and teams in 54 different events within four core career business clusters: Marketing, Hospitality and Tourism, Finance, and Business Management and Administration. After three days of competition, several Vernon students were rewarded on stage for their accomplishments at the conference.
A particularly exciting accomplishment was the team of Briana Garcia, Brielle Eilinger and Dayna Van Leuven, who qualified for ICDC in the Stock Market Game, finishing in the top 25 for portfolio growth out of 1,200 nationwide teams. After starting with 100,000 “dollars,” the team grew its portfolio by investing in stocks and bonds in a simulated stock market that mirrored the actual New York Stock Exchange from September to December. Theirs was the only team from New Jersey to qualify.
The following students finished in the Top 6 in the events and will have the ability to compete at the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta at the end of April:
Community Service Project, Frank Incarnato and Max Rodriguez; Creative Marketing Plan, Elizabeth Keith; Finance Operations Research, Ryan Eilinger and Jameson Parker; Independent Business Plan, Ryan Hainzl and Daniel McKeon; Principles of Finance, Daniel McKeon.
Additionally, the following students were awarded medals for making it to the Finalist round in their respective events: Entrepreneurship Promotion Project: Melissa Garcia and Philip Perrotta; Financial Team Decision Making: Ryan Eilinger and Jameson Parker; Food Marketing: Ryan Hainzl; International Business Plan: Julia Nangle; Learn and Earn Project: Jacqueline Villafuerte and Jacalyn Riedl; Principles of Hospitality & Tourism: Jade Lazar; Professional Selling Event: David McQuillan; Public Relations Project: Derek Bogdewicz, Devon Johnson and Shayna Lazar.
Vernon also earned acceptance to DECA’s Leadership Academy in Atlanta by completing a variety campaign as a chapter. David McQuillan orchestrated the New Jersey Community Service Project by raising $900 to help purchase books for children in need.
As a unit, Vernon DECA officers completed three major chapter campaigns: Membership Campaign - 40 alumni and professionals were registered as DECA members; Promotional Campaign Included an array of events, such as a hypnotist performance, a dodgeball tournament and a flea market to increase community awareness of DECA. Community Service Campaign – Vernon DECA partnered with Harvest House, Sussex County’s food bank, on a turkey dinner fundraiser.