Oxford Hills Distributive Education Classes of America students went to South Portland on March 6 and 7 to attend the DECA state conference. In front from left are Arielle Floyd, Kendra Davis, Chelsea Scott, Monica Martin, Kari Pelletier, Ashley Chaplin, Emmylou Blake and Kristianna Springer; center, Trisha Mitchell, Julie Dupuis, Meagan McDougal, Taylor Menezes, Dennis Croy, Melanie Cloutier, Madeline Littlefield, Melissa McLaren, Alisha Berry and Krista Hakala; back, Nathanial Dubois, Justin Roussel, Daniel Millett, Zachary Smith, Zachary Surette, Laura Courcy and Patricia Pelletier.

DECA students going to national conference

PARIS – Twenty-three Oxford Hills Distributive Education Classes of America students traveled to South Portland on March 6 and 7 to attend the 40th annual DECA state conference hosted by four Oxford Hills students, members of this year’s state officer action team.

The Oxford Hills students joined five other DECA chapters from around Maine to compete in various events. Each student competed by completing a written project, individual event or a team event.

The written events consist of a 30-page paper and a presentation of the project before a judge. The individual events are made up of a written test and two role plays, and the team events are made up of a written test and a case study.

State Officers Alisha Berry, Laura Courcy, Madeline Littlefield and Kristianna Springer planned the conference and oversaw the activities. They gained sponsorships and donations from businesses and decided the theme for the conference. The officer hosted a Game Night as part of the evening’s entertainment.

Four teams of four from Oxford Hills competed in the Quiz Bowl category against teams from three other schools. After multiple rounds of single elimination, the team comprised of Melissa McLaren, Emmylou Blake, Melanie Cloutier and Chelsea Scott took first place.

Members of the three other Oxford Hills teams were Kari Pelletier, Monica Martin, Daniel Millett, Ashley Chaplin, Kendra Davis, Krista Hakala, Trisha Mitchell, Nathanial Dubois, Zachary Smith, Justin Roussel, Meagan McDougal and Arielle Floyd.

Kari Anna Pelletier took third as Outstanding DECA Student of the Year. She was nominated by fellow DECA members.

Oxford Hills took home two chapter awards. The first was the Maine DECA Chapter of the Year award, which Oxford Hills won for the 13th time in the past 15 years. The project was presented by Chelsea Scott and Alisha Berry.

The second was a national Diamond Level Chapter Award. The chapter hosted multiple events during the first two months of school and submitted a paper and pictures to National DECA. They will be honored onstage at nationals for their efforts.

Individual events awards

Chelsea Scott, Accounting Applications, first, written event; first, role play one; first, role play two; first, overall.

Melissa McLaren, Apparel and Accessories, second, written; first, role play one and two; and first, overall.

Nathanial Dubois, Business Services, second, written; second, role play one; first, role play two and overall.

Melanie Cloutier, Food Marketing Series, third, written; second, role play one; first, role play two and overall.

Kendra Davis, Retail Merchandising Series, first, written; third, role play one; first, role play two and overall.

Zachary Smith, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, first, written; second, role play one; first, role play two and overall.

Team events awards

Laura Courcy, Hospitality Services, first, written, case study and overall.

Madeline Littlefield, Hospitality Services, first, case study and overall.

Kristianna Springer, Travel and Tourism, first, case study and overall.

Daniel Millett, Travel and Tourism, third, written; first, case study and overall.

Meagan McDougal, Travel and Tourism, second, case study and overall.

Krista Hakala, Travel and Tourism, first, written; second, case study and overall.

Justin Roussel, Sports and Entertainment Services, third, case study; second, overall.

Zachary Smith, Sports and Entertainment Services, third, case study; second, overall

Taylor Menezes, E-Commerce, first, written, case study and overall.

Dennis Croy, E-Commerce, second, written; first, case study and overall.

Alisha Berry, Buying and Merchandising Mgt., third, written; second, case study and overall.

Emmylou Blake, Buying and Merchandising Mgt., second, case study and overall.

Written project

Kari Anna Pelletier, Monica Martin and Ashley Chaplin, Learn and Earn, first, overall.

Twenty-one students earned the right to compete at the National DECA Conference in Atlanta from April 25 to 30. DECA students have planned several activities to raise the $17,000 needed.

They are selling candle products in time for Mother’s Day, pizza cards, magazine subscriptions and coupon booklets. For more information, contact Pat Pelletier or Julie Dupuis at 743-7756, ext. 5100.