Closing the Deal

Maclay DECA Members Compete at the State Career Development Conference

Photo courtesy of Everett Slocum/Maclay Andalusian

On March 6, the Maclay Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) team traveled to Orlando to compete at the DECA State Career Development Conference. DECA supports students interested in management, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and marketing. Maclay’s team included students Addyson Papuchis, Belen Rambana, Finley Boland, Maximo Colon, Manuel Arisso, Everett Slocum and Luke Daunt.

At the state conference, the Maclay students competed in role-plays specific to their concentrations. Role-play events challenge students to solve a real-life business scenario within a limited time. Using a combined score from the role-play and a previously written exam, the students’ total score is produced, which can qualify them for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).

Papuchis, a Maclay junior who tested in the marketing category, placed ninth overall out of all the competitors in marketing for Florida’s state conference. She will be attending ICDC on April 26-29 in Orlando.

“At first, I was shocked at making it to ICDC because there were so many smart and competitive people there,” Papuchis said. “My category was the first to be called and I was not expecting my name. My friends were all so supportive of me when I had to go up onto stage and get my award.”

The students ended their trip with a day at Universal Islands of Adventure before heading back home.