Students Go on to National DECA Competition

Published: April 12, 2016 | Read Time: 1 minutes

Eight Southern Utah University students placed in the top six of their respective events at the DECA state competition in St. George. The awards qualify each student to go on to the national competition held in Washington, D.C., in April.

DECA presents students with a simulation, case-study, or professional presentation in 24 different business categories. Depending on the event, students have 20 to 60 minutes to prepare their presentation before the judges where they are scored on problem-solving capabilities.

Austin Hanson, an accounting major who took 5th place in the accounting category, said the competition is a great opportunity for students to gain real-world experience.

“Students get experience in applying their knowledge in a situation that professionals are bound to encounter,” said Hanson. “Students also get a low-risk situation to encounter professionals. These encounters have improved my speaking skills with future employers and professionals.”

The students going on to the national competition are:

• Tyler Edgel (1st place in Accounting, 6th place in Financial Statement Analysis)
• Austin Hanson (5th place in Accounting, 6th place in Financial Statement Analysis)
• Lindsay Joyner (1st place in Hotel and Lodging)
• Jacob Lyman (6th place in Hotel and Lodging)
• Cami Mathews (5th place in Sports and Entertainment Marketing)
• Gage Simms (3rd place in Accounting)
• Randi Spencer (4th place in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing, 5th place in Sports and Entertainment Marketing)
• Sara Tangren (5th place in Travel and Tourism)

DECA is a nonprofit student organization that specializes in marketing, finance, hospitality and management with more than 200,000 members across the U.S. and several other countries around the world. 

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