This Saturday, December 12, 46 De La Salle Collegiate students will be competing in the DECA District Competition at Lake Orion High School.  https://mideca.org/conferences/dc/

DECA - Distributive Education Clubs of America - “Prepares Emerging Leaders and Entrepreneurs in Marketing, Finance, Hospitality, and Management.”

On December 5, all the students took the required 75-minute online test in their respective categories, moderated by staff member Sister Pat Eeckhout, CDP. The competition this Saturday involves “role-playing,’ a judged event. 

The online test counts for one-third of their scores, and the judges’ scores on the role-playing count for the other two-thirds. The top students in each category qualify for the DECA States on March 13-15, 2025 competition at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit.

In 2024, senior Nolan Kas-Mikha, then a junior, was the state champion in his category and continued to the international competition in April 2024 in Anaheim, CA. 

Faculty moderator Mr. Dennis Koch, De La Salle Collegiate Class of 1994, initiated Dennis about ten years ago, and each year the program has grown. 

“I’m very happy the program has grown,” Koch said. “The students are working hard for the competition and learning a lot, but they are also having fun.” 

This year’s team is the largest ever and includes 26 seniors, 8 juniors, 3 sophomores, and 9 freshmen. 

• 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)
• Nicholas Brandow: Apparel & Accessories Marketing Series
• Andrew Brillati and Jake Jablonski: Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making (Team #1)
• Anthony Brillati and Anthony Cooper: Financial Services Team Decision Making (Team #1)
• Peter Brillati and Jax Licavoli: Sports & Entertainment Team Decision Making(Team #1)
• Evan Cole: Hotel and Lodging Management Series
• Aiden Elher: Business Services Marketing Series
• Kevin Erickson: Principles of Business Management and Administration
• Liam Erickson: Principles of Entrepreneurship
• Chris Francis: Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series
• Vianni Giorgis and Liam O’Byrne: Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making (Team #1)
• John Glaeser: Principles of Finance
• Brandon Hargis: Principles of Business Management and Administration
• Joseph Hupfel: Principles of Marketing
• Luke Jablonski: Entrepreneurship Series
• John Kajy: Human Resources Management Series
• Nolan Kas-Mikha: Automotive Services Marketing Series
• Evan S Kelley: Financial Consulting Event
• Jacob Kmiec: Principles of Finance
• 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
• Lukas Moubarak: Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
• Anthony Sancimino and Joseph Weimart: 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
• Graham Tobin: Principles of Marketing
• Peter Tocco: Food Marketing Series
• Andrew Vandervord: Entrepreneurship Series
• Antonio Viviano: Principles of Business Management and Administration

Koch credits the student leadership team for its hard work in helping to prepare the team members for the competition. 

Those student leaders include seniors Chris Azzi, Luke Jablonski, John Kajy, Nolan Kas-Mikha, Jack Madigan, and junior Evan Kelley. 

In addition to preparation for the various events, the DLS DECA team prayed together at the weekly Mass in the DLS Chapel on December 4 and will be gathering after school on December 11 for a team dinner. 

Koch says that the Christian Financial Credit Union (CFCU) CEO Patty Campbell, and the CFCU Education team of Adalia Huerta, Ren Waldis, and Jeanette Kennedy will also be present. 

Additionally, Koch said the DECA Team Moms have been very helpful in the dinner’s organization. They include Mrs. Sancimino, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Madigan, Mrs. Brillati, and Mrs. VanderVord.