DECA Competition

Congratulations to all DECA members that participated in the District 3 Career Development Conference this week. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you for showing up, doing your best, and making the most of your DECA experience. Hamilton Wenham DECA had a phenomenal night––108 students qualified for the State Conference! 

See the full results here: HW DECA Districts Results 2024–2025

Want to know how you did? All competitors should stop by next week to get your scores/rankings and the rubric from your judge with feedback. 

If you placed top 7 in your category, you qualified for the DECA State Career Development Conference February 27–March 1, 2025. We do not have the registration information yet with final pricing, so paperwork will be released after winter break in January. In the meantime, here are a few general details: 

• The conference brings together the winners from 9 districts across Massachusetts to compete for State titles and qualify to compete in Orlando, Florida in April. 
• We will be staying at the Westin Seaport Boston and events happen at our hotel and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC).
• We leave at 9 am on Thursday February 27 and the conference ends early afternoon on Saturday March 1. Students miss 2 fulls days of school.
• Due to the schedule of competition this year, students will not be able to leave for sports, theater, dance, or other activities on Thursday evening or Friday afternoon/evening. You will have to make a choice.
• The cost of the conference is high– around $550–because it is a professional conference experience including premium hotel accommodations for 2 nights, registration, meals, entertainment, conference t-shirt, competition, and awards recognition. Financial assistance is available for those in need, any student is able to seek sponsorship, and we do accept donations towards students who need financial assistance. 
• Start thinking about whether you want to attend: If you are not able or not interested in going, please let me know so that the next student in your category can be offered the position. It’s ok to choose not to go!

Any DECA member can apply for our Chapter Quiz Bowl team for the State Conference. This fast-paced trivia competition tests your general business knowledge as a team of four against other schools. The application will be on Google Classroom tomorrow and the deadline is Friday, December 20. 

This is just the beginning of our DECA year and there’s much more than competition coming including speakers, spirit days, skills workshops, our annual Talent Show, and much more. I am looking forward to many great experiences with all DECA members!

Mrs. Laura Wheeler
Business Teacher & DECA Advisor
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How can you help? 

Remind your child it’s all about experience and we support them regardless of how they place. Encourage them to review this Role Play Guide, come to a practice session, and sign up for the Mock Competition. Confidence is the best skill gained at DECA and it comes from all of us making sure that each student knows we believe they can do it!