Juanita High School DECA students are enthusiastic about successfully starting a chapter this year.

DECA is a professional student leadership organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in high schools around the globe. JHS DECA students have been meeting regularly to learn about marketing, business leadership and employability skills to prepare for their future.

On Jan. 12 they challenged themselves academically by participating in the Area 3 DECA competition against 878 other students for the right to compete at the state level.

The following students placed during the event: Evan Ellefsen placed 4th and will be competing at state in Business Finance individual event; Austin Chen and Bill Narita placed 4th and will be competing at state in Buying and Merchandising Team Event; and Brandon O’Rourke placed 2nd in test category for Business Law & Ethics.

“Competing at DECA was a great experience,” said Ellefsen, DECA president. “The professional, high stakes, realistic environment will prepare me for the real world. I know that this opportunity will serve as a great stepping stone in my business career.”

The City of Kirkland provided a generous grant to send the JHS DECA chapter to Area competition. JHS DECA is currently fund raising to send the winning students to state and welcomes donations.

DECA enhances preparation for college and careers by providing co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, applying learning in the context of business, connecting to business and the community and promoting competition.

Student members leverage their DECA experience to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.