by Claire McGuire

This year DECA, a group within Capital High that competes in events that are geared towards business and technology, has shown itself to be a force to be reckoned with statewide. They have just recently competed in their national qualifying competition and have wrapped up their season with an incredible amount of success. According to Mrs. Conn, DECA’s adviser, 13 kids from Capital High placed first in their events. Some of the events that students from Capital participate in are financial analysis, creative marketing, virtual business, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. To be involved in DECA students have to either be in marketing or in small business classes. DECA not only competes but is often responsible for most of the marketing campaigns that circulate within the school, and of course Bear Necessities, the student run store.

There are twenty students from Capital High going to Nashville TN to compete in the National competition. The students will have some time to go sightseeing as well as traveling around the area. The state tournament is always in Helena so Nationals is a good opportunity to travel. The students go to Fairmont hot springs to prepare for the competition which consists of a 100 question written marketing exam and then competition in the various events. The club has 50 registered members at Capital High school, that all work very hard and compete. The students who are involved enjoy it thoroughly, one of them Maddie Parker commented that “Its really fun and you get to meet a lot of new people.” Parker is one of the 20 students participating in the national tournament. Not only does the club enrich the lives and studies of the students but with events like the charity oriented one that Haley McMahan participated in, it also helps the community. Haley and others put together a charity called Heads Hands and Hearts, where the students collected mittens and hats for kids who can’t afford them. McMahan describes the experience very favorably saying that “It was good to know that you were helping people and the school kids were super appreciative.”

Even the kids who didn’t make it this time are still working hard, Conn said kids were, “Already preparing for next season because next year Nationals are in Orlando, always an awesome trip.” This trip should be fun as well with the students leaving early and being able to see a whole new State and maybe even slip in a few country concerts. Over all a very successful and fun season for Capital Highs business halls and future Professionals. Conlan Burk a senior in DECA may have said it best when asked what he saw happening at Nationals, “We go down with the intentions of winning!”