Congratulations to junior Nolan Kas-Mikha, who qualified for the DECA International Competition in Anaheim, CA, April 26-30. 

DECA, formerly known as Distributive Education Clubs of America, “prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.”

In his second year of DECA competition, Nolan entered the Automotive Services Marketing Series category; he was a state finalist in 2023 in Principles of Marketing.

Joining Nolan in the winners’ circle were state finalists juniors Jack Madigan and Chris Azzi, and sophomore Glenn Acre. 

Jack and Chris competed as a team in the Buying and Merchandising Decision Making Category; they were both state qualifiers in 2023.  Glenn, in his first year of competition, competed in the Principles of Finance category. 

Before competing in person, the DECA students take an online 100-question multiple choice test in a variety of categories, including both the Individual and the Team Decision Making Events.  

Of the 27 students who competed in December 2023, in district competition at Lake Orion High School, 22 qualified for the March event. By comparison, in 2022, 12 students qualified and two went as a team to the international competition in Florida. 

Nolan said his competition involved two role-play scenarios with judges. One of the role-plays was about using market research to determine whether to keep AM radios in vehicles; the second role-play was about bringing a positive customer service experience to the online field. 

In addition to DECA, Nolan is the Vice President of the Mock Trial team, the Captain of the NBA2K eSports team, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Student Council; he serves as the DECA Vice-President. 

“I enjoy meeting new people and conversing with them about DECA and many different hobbies,” said Nolan. “I love the competition aspect of striving to be the best I can be. I also have learned how to present myself in a business situation and solve overarching problems that affect a business.”

Jack is involved in several school activities including the National Honor Society, the Student Council, the Mock Trial team, and varsity lacrosse. He has a full load of Advanced Placement (AP) classes including Calculus AB, Chemistry, Government, English Language and Composition, and Microeconomics. He is interested in a career in law or business. 

Chris hopes to pursue a career in medicine and is involved with several DLS clubs, including the Medical, World Cultures, and Chess Clubs. He played JV tennis and is a member of the Student Council and the DLS National Honor Society. 

In his first year in DECA, Glenn is enthused about participating in DECA. 

“DECA is amazing,” Glenn said. “One of my best decisions ever was to try DECA. I signed up for Districts and was hesitant at first, but I liked it. I may try one of the group categories next year. I am going to work hard to qualify for nationals.”

Glenn is a member of the DLS tennis and baseball teams. 

The following students also qualified for the state competition: 

• Bebe Rabhi
• AJ Slavko
• Jackson Bodis
• Alex Ramirez
• Antonio Landa
• Carter Green
• Mitchell Scott
• John Kajy 
• Joseph Montilla
• Anthony Brillati 
• Anthony Cooper
• Luke Jablonski
• Cristian Talamantes
• Evan Kelley
• Andrew Koreck
• Matthew Mio
• Ender Straughen
• Nicholas Brandow

Business teacher Mr. Michael Rice is the DECA moderator. 

The team also thanks Brother Joe Reed who also accompanied the group as a chaperone for the weekend competition. 

Rice also cites the assistance of faculty members Mrs. Kathleen Erickson and Mr. Wilson Juncaj, along with DLS Alumni Director Mr. Dennis Koch, who started the DECA group at DLS in 2015. 

Learn more about DECA and the various events at mideca.org.

Photo: Jack Madigan and Chris Azzi

Photo: Glenn Acre

Photo: The DLS DECA Team in downtown Detroit