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WCHS DECA shines at the 2023 VA DECA State Leadership Conference

44 Warren County DECA students attended and competed in the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference March 3-5, 2023 in VA Beach.

Caden Monroe places in the Top 10 in Accounting Applications: Written Test
On March 3-5, forty-four (44) WCHS DECA students attended and competed in various competitions during the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference in VA Beach, VA.
Finishing in the Top 20 in their respective individual and team competitions were:
- Caden Monroe (17th) – Accounting Applications
- Ava Hamer (19th) – Accounting Applications
- Sophia Logan, Breanna Taylor, & Ayaana Vasishta (4th) – Career Development Project
- Ginger Gouda, Ella Martin, & Jayla Dean (20th) – Community Giving Project
- Faryn Gorham, Lily Kashner, & Sara Waller (9th) – Financial Literacy Project
- Lisa Hoelsher (10th) – Job Interview
- Hunter Wilson (16th) – Principles of Marketing

(L-R): Breanna Taylor, Sophia Logan, & Ayaana Vasishta placed 4th with their Career Development Project.
The WCHS DECA was recognized as one of the Top 20 chapters in Virginia with a “Blue Chip” Award in the chapter’s Annual Report. This marks the sixth consecutive year the Warren County chapter has received this recognition and award.

Accepting the chapter’s Blue Chip in the Annual Report of Chapter Activity are Ginger Gouda, Chapter President, and Ella Martin, Chapter Vice-President of Corporate Information.
Additionally, the WCHS DECA School-Based Enterprises (SBEs), Wildcats Corner, DECA Tailgaters, and Wildcats LIVE! were recognized for earning Gold Re-Certification levels with national DECA.
Virginia DECA also recognized Mr. Mike McCool, from National Media Services, Inc & Royal Examiner, as a “Friend of VA DECA” for his participation as a mentor, advisor, and judge with the Warren County DECA Chapter.

(L-R): Landon Pond accepts the award for Wildcats LIVE!, Kaley Tanner accepts the award for DECA Tailgaters, and Blaine Whited accepts the award for Wildcats Corner.
Finally, VA DECA recognized Mr. Rick Gardner, WCHS DECA Chapter Advisor, with an Outstanding Advisor Award.
During April 22-25, 2023, fourteen WCHS DECA students will travel to Orlando, FL, to compete in the DECA International Career Development Conference.

Accompanying Mike McCool from National Media Services, Inc & Royal Examiner, receiving the Friend of VA DECA Award is Ginger Gouda, WCHS DECA Chapter President.
Competing will be:
- Sophia Logan, Breanna Taylor, & Ayaana Vasishta with their Career Development Project
- Landon Pond, Hunter Wilson, & Faryn Gorham with the Wildcats LIVE! SBE
- DJ Rizzo, Nick Foltz, & Raymond Dingess with the Wildcats Corner SBE
- Natalya Carter, Ella Martin, & Sara Waller with the DECA Tailgaters SBE
Ginger Gouda and Blaine Whited will be attending a two-day leadership development workshop.

Accompanying Rick Gardner in receiving the Outstanding Advisor award is DJ Rizzo, Jr, WCHS DECA Chapter Vice-President of Retail Operations.
