Warren County High School DECA students prepare for conference

Students at WCHS have been preparing for the Virginia DECA Conference taking place this Saturday in Virginia Beach. Several Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce members attended practice this week to help provide insight and conduct mock evaluations. The Top 8 in the state competitions will move on to compete at the National DECA Conference in April in Orlando, Florida.

Photos by Jennifer Avery of Jenspiration, LLC.

Team presentations contained a variety of topics. All were very well researched by exploring target markets, brand awareness, sales trends and more. Here is a list of the projects for this year. Some will continue for years to come like the DECA DOGS program.

Group 1

• An Integrated Marketing Plan for a novelty item sold in the school store (WildCats’ Corner)
• An Integrated Marketing Plan for a Senior Athlete Media Guide for Fall Sports
• An Integrated Marketing Plan for a Color Run
• An Integrated Marketing Plan for Off-Season Sales for An Ice Cream Shop
• Market Planning Strategies for A School-Based Business (WildCats’ Corner)

Group 2

• Learn & Earn Project conducted during the Fall Festival of Leaves
• Public Relations Project to build awareness and financial support for the Wounded Warrior Project and Military Families
• Financial Literacy Promotion Project designed to educate elementary and high school students about Consumer Budgeting & Spending
• A Start-up Business Plan for a doughnut shop
• A Concept Paper for starting a food truck business

What is DECA?

DECA is a student marketing organization that works as a basic component of Marketing Education programs that support and enhance school and work based learning. The organization provides students with the proper skills, knowledge and experience to succeed in a global economy.  (http://www.vadecafoundation.org)

A little history of DECA:

During the first 10 years (1947 – 1957), 20 Virginia students were elected to national office. Two students, *Leonard Maiden (1949 – 1950) and Roy Horton (1954 – 1955) served as National DECA presidents.  *Proud local fact, Leonard Maiden was from WCHS!

DECA Advisor: Rick Garnder, Marketing & Business Teacher at WCHS

FR/WC Chamber of Commerce members who attended practice:

• Mike McCool, National Media Services, LLC
• Tina Tolliver, Tolliver Studios, LLC
• Mark Harris, Adventure Enablers
• Jennifer Avery, Jenspiration, LLC
• Jeff Hinson, REC