In April, the DECA Nationals competition was held in Orlando, Fla., and attracted some of the most successful and talented high school students in the country to compete in events ranging from entrepreneurship to marketing. DECA is a student organization that aims to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. Edina High School brought 18 students, nine of whom advanced to the final round, and brought home three trophies.
“Edina DECA is so passionate and has so much heart,” explains Madison Seeley, who took home the first-place trophy in the Sports and Entertainment Promotion Plan Event, Edina’s first time placing first in the national competition.
Esme Brown and Ben Bogart, competing together for the Advertising Campaign Event, took home third place, and Emma Roback finished third in the Business Services Marketing Event.
Edina DECA’s co-advisor, Ryan Gallagher, explains that making it to the nationals was a reward in itself. “It’s the best we’ve ever done,” he says. “I knew we did well, but it was amazing that we did that well.”
