Kirkland residents Mary Claire Squires and Amanda Johnson won first place at the International DECA Competition in Orlando, Fla. on April 19.

They represented Gonzaga University in the Advertising Category at the conference held April 13–19. Both women were active at DECA while attending Juanita High School and have continued at Gonzaga University in Spokane.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.  They placed first in Advertising Category earlier this year in Vancouver, British Columbia and then were eligible to go to the International Competition in Orlando, Fla.