Andy Close
Four Warren County Career Center students embarked on the DECA state competition, which, much like districts, had a different feel to it.
(Photo: Kendra Chase and Paige Dexter)
Because of COVID-19, the event was virtual this year. WCCC students Macey Eyler, Kendra Chase, Paige Dexter and Joshua Smith made the best of it and turned in outstanding performances.
The event is normally held in Hershey, but this year, it still offered students the opportunity for networking and competition.
Chase and Dexter, competing at states for the first time, earned a medal in the Mini Awards Ceremony for top role play in the Entrepreneurship Team Event.
In role play, students are given a scenario and are tasked with improving the situation.
“It turned out to be really fun, especially since I had my teammate Paige,” Chase said. “My favorite part was doing the role play. I knew that I could count on Paige and she could count on me.”
Added Dexter: “It was a lot of fun having my teammate Kendra to do DECA with, it gives me someone to rely on with doing the role plays.”
Eyler, meanwhile, earned three medals in the Mini Awards Ceremony in Automotive Services Marketing in her second trip to states. 
She placed eighth in the state (the top four advanced to nationals).
Smith also earned three medals in the Mini Awards Ceremony in Business Services Marketing.
Smith, a senior, went to states all three years and plans on going to college to major in finance in the fall. 
Chase also earned a medal in the Mini Awards Ceremony for top test score.
The Mini Awards Ceremony recognizes students for top test scores and top role play scores. Individual events can earn a maximum of three medals and team events can earn a maximum of two medals in the Mini Awards Ceremony.
On average, there are 30 to 40 students at each event.
In a normal year, students attend workshops that are business and marketing-related.
This year, however, because of the virtual event, there was a zoom session with Full Sail University, which proved to be very beneficial.
“They adjusted so well to the change in format with it being virtual,” said DECA Advisor and Warren County Career Center Marketing teacher Cathie Cummings. “We’re thankful they still had the opportunity and they did really well.”
