DECA means business as students head to state conference

Mar 3, 2022

Students at Old Rochester Regional High School Junior High School will be heading to Boston March 10, 11 and 12  for the state competition of the Distributive Education Clubs of America.

The organization encourages the development of business and leadership skills through academic conferences and competitions.The students qualified to attend the competition by their success in various business-related projects.

The ORR chapter started in the 2018-2019 school year and meets weekly, said David Ditata, a senior and chapter co-president with junior Kira Sarkarati. 

The club plays an especially important role at ORR, he said. The school does not offer business classes, so the club serves as “the closest we have to a business program.’’

DECA officials allow schools to participate in the organization for five years before business classes must be established. Ditata is “trying my very best to organize’’ the establishment of a business program at the school.

For now, the students are looking forward to attending the state conference. 

Eleventh grader Kathleen Dunn appreciates “the people I’ve met and the things I’ve learned. Being in a room filled with future millionaires, investors, entrepreneurs and business icons is so fulfilling.’’

Senior Brendan Burke said that “throughout the year, all of the club members worked so hard and it was amazing to see the growth and improvement every single member’’ has achieved.

Eighth grader Jake Lappini is proud to have qualified for district competition alongside older students. “I am most excited to be able to compete in person at the state level and spend multiple days away at the competition site,’’ he said.

DECA student members are:

Seniors: Justin Allain; Brendan Burke; Emily Dellacioppa; David Ditata; Taigo Duarte; Hannah Furtado; Edward Gonet; Taylor Green; Brooke Hammond; Aiden Harrington; Drew Mastovsky; Lukas Michaelis; Kinsley Trout; Tyler Trudeau; Maxwell Tucker; Mackenzie Wilson; and Nathan Yurof. 

Juniors: Kendall Cook, Kathleen Dunn; William O’Shaughnessy, Colin Carroll, Theodore Carroll, Paige Fuller, Sakurako Huynh-Aoyama; Jack Pepin; Reagan Rock; Kira Sarkarati; and Sarah Wyman. 

Sophomores: Rylee Kouta; Andrew Porter, Jackson Veugen; Alyssa Vieira.

Eighth graders: Charlotte Cook, Jacob Lappini; Molly Wronski 

Beth Trout and Alyssa Whitney are the chapter’s advisor.