HOLT, Mich. — Two Holt High School students received medals and 26 won the recent district competition for the Distributive Education Clubs of America, known as DECA, for students who are interested in careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Holt Public’s district winners move on to the state contest set for March 13-15 in Detroit.

 

Students from schools in Ingham, Jackson, Livingston and parts of Washtenaw counties participated in the District 4 DECA contest on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Eastern Michigan University. The competition helps students develop key professional skills, gain real-world experience and build the confidence they need to succeed.

 

This has been a stellar year for the Holt Public Schools’ DECA team, which had 92 dedicated members and 70 talented students competing across 20 exciting events. Holt High School business teachers Jassen Dowling and Jeff Shane serve as the advisors for the program and are critical to its success.

 

“We couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication shown by each and every one of our competitors,” said Lucas Schrauben, director of Secondary Programs at Holt High School. “We believe the ‘best learning happens through doing,’ and DECA is an excellent way for our business education students to showcase their skills and abilities.”

 

The State Career Development Conference (SCDC) in Detroit is expected to host more than 4,200 Michigan DECA members and advisors.

 

Holt Public Schools has a long history of partnering with DECA, a Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for student leadership development. The organization helps students apply lessons from their high school business marketing, management and entrepreneurship courses. 

 

Holt’s DECA students and their advisers work year-round to prepare for industry validated competitive events aligned with national curriculum standards in marketing, business management and administration, finance, hospitality and tourism. In Michigan, DECA has more than 9,000 members in 160 high schools and area career centers across the state.