Staff Report
The Riverview High School DECA chapter has achieved success in district, state and national competitions this year. Sophomore Kimberly Spreenger and senior Julia Sumer, who placed fourth and fifth respectively at the Florida “State Development Conference” competition in Orlando in March, have earned the right to compete at the annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC) competition in Atlanta, GA.
Five other students will also attend to participate in the business and marketing academies offered at ICDC, scheduled for Friday-Wednesday, May 2-7. They are senior James Stolash, Chapter President, senior Alana DaRosa, who transferred her DECA membership from Massachusetts in January, sophomore Morgan Barse who is also a voting delegate, sophomore Karsen Turner and junior Euleeandra Haughton.
For the first time ever submitted, the chapter’s Annual Business Plan earned Gold Level at the state conference and the school-based enterprise “The Shark Shack” received a bronze level rating.
DECA (formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) co-curricular organization that provides high school and college students with hands-on experience in marketing, retail merchandising, human resources, finance, hospitality and management, business ownership and entrepreneurship. Its programs address the learning styles, interest and focus of its members.
Riverview students have worked hard all year to be able to attend ICDC, but the cost to each deserving student is very high. Nancy MacLauchlan, DECA and NTHS Advisor said, “DECA is a non-profit organization; our chapter is dependent on fundraising, donations from friends and families and sponsorships with businesses.”
Members have been raising funds with spirit nights, bake sales, cancer awareness bracelets and the school store. With less than two months to go until ICDC, the students are still far away from the total of $5,500 needed for the conference, which covers registration, transportation, hotel costs and meals for seven DECA members for five days.
Help is needed to send these future entrepreneurs and community leaders to ICDC this year. It is hoping to receive enough contributions by Friday, April 18. The students are currently selling Chick-Fil-A cards and are planning a car wash for mid-April.
To make a contribution, contact advisor Nancy MacLauchlan at 340-5986 or nancy.maclauchlan@sdhc.k12.fl.us.
