Congratulations to the 2025 De La Salle Collegiate DECA team that set a new record at the Dec. 14 District 7 Competition, with 26 students winning in their role-play events. The DLS contingent included 46 students. Read more

This breaks the previous record of 20 students, set in 2017. 

The District Winners include

• Glenn Acre: Apparel & Accessories Marketing Series
• Christopher Azzi and Jack Madigan: Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making (Team #1)
• Michael Azzi and Mitchell Scott: Travel & Tourism Team Decision Making (Team #1)
• Joseph Booms and Dane Debbrecht: Marketing Management Team Decision Making(Team #1)
• Aiden Elher: Business Services Marketing Series
• Vianni Giorgis and Liam O’Byrne: Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making (Team #1)
• Joseph Hupfel: Principles of Marketing
• John Kajy: Human Resources Management Series
• Nolan Kas-Mikha: Automotive Services Marketing Series
• Evan S. Kelley: Financial Consulting Event
• Andrew Koreck: Quick Service Restaurant Management Series
• Demetrius Kourtakis: Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling Event
• Brady Lee and Zack Wagner: Hospitality Services Team Decision Making (Team #1)
• Matthew Mio: Human Resources Management Series
• Anthony Sancimino and Joseph Weimert: Financial Services Team Decision Making (Team #2)
• Jack Sciturro and Thomas Simasko: Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making (Team #2)
• Rhys Smith: Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
• Ender Straughen: Food Marketing Series
• Paul Thacker: Food Marketing Series

The role-play competition counts for ⅔ of the event score. Students completed the online testing portion, which counts for ⅓ of the event score, on December 5, 2024. That test is a 75-minute, 100-question test.

DLS Business teacher and DECA moderator Mr. Dennis Koch, DLS Class of 1994, said, “We will pick up again in mid-January for the state competition which is March 13-15 in downtown Detroit. The International competition is in Orlando, FL, at the end of April. 

Koch credits senior Nolan Kas-Mikha, the team’s leader, along with seniors Chris Azzi, Luke Jablonski, John Kajy, Jack Madigan, and junior Evan Kelley. 

“The leaders deserve a lot of credit for bringing others up and making everyone better,” Koch said. “That’s what true leaders do.”

He added, “We rolled in with confidence. We dressed well. We were supportive of each other. We had a powerful presence. We were fun. We were La Salle. Then we performed. Then we set records!”

Koch continued, “I had a good feeling about this competition. Our boys worked hard over the last several weeks. First, they poured in a lot of time and energy to prepare for the online testing, and secondly, they practiced and practiced for the district role-play competition.”

“I’m so very proud of all the students. The underclassmen learned from the experienced team members, and we have a great foundation for the team for next year.” 

Koch also credits the Christian Financial Credit Union (CFCU) Education Team which worked with students several days after school for the last five weeks to help them develop their role-play skills. 

“CFCU has been phenomenally supportive,” Koch said. “Having the business professionals spending time with our students made a difference. Students were able to develop their skills and gained confidence as they practiced in front of knowledgeable adults.”