BHS Students Excel at DECA State Competition

Marketing students who are members of the Berkley High School DECA club had the opportunity to showcase their skills at this year's DECA State Career Development Conference, held in downtown Detroit's Huntington Place from March 13-15, 2025. The event brought together more than 4,700 students from all over the state of Michigan, who competed in various marketing events and activities. BHS students walked away with 22 overall finalists (top 10 in their category), 1 received a role-play medal, 1 received a test medal and 12 students qualified (top 6 in their category) to compete at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida on April 25th.

While at the conference, students are focused on improving their leadership and professional skills, in hopes of making their way to the finalist stage. These students competed in a wide range of categories, including merchandising, business operations, community awareness, sales and school based enterprise, participating in presenting projects, role play and more. 

Congratulations to the following students for qualifying and competing at the State DECA competition!

Automotive Management Series

• Ben Kacin

Business Innovation Plan

• Adalyn Brzezinski - International Qualifier
• Lexi Gross - International Qualifier
• Laney Reich - Overall Finalist
• Caleigh Tracey - Overall Finalist

Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making Event

• Phinn Moore
• Collin Richardson

Business Service Operations Research Event

• Madelyn Grzegorczyk - International Qualifier (Aspire Academy) 
• Marlen Toma

Career Development Project Management Event

• Leif Schoof - International Qualifier
• Tayla Steczek - International Qualifier

Community Giving Project Management Event

• Madi Schindler - International Qualifier
• Alex Sims - International Qualifier

Finance Operations Research Event

• Salman Abdella - International Qualifier
• Nick Cerensnie - International Qualifier

Financial Consulting Event

• Stephanie Hornak

Financial Literacy Project Management Event

• Ava Guerra
• Mia Mracna

Independent Business Plan

• Tali Dines - Overall Finalist
• Lily Rogers - Overall Finalist

Integrated Marketing Campaign - Event

• Robert Anantharam - Test Medal
• Niklas Gustafson - Overall Finalist
• Brayden Kubicki - Overall Finalist 
• Will Qualman
• Ben Sanborn

Integrated Marketing Campaign - Product

• Riley Gutman - Overall Finalist
• Kate Pollock - Overall Finalist

Integrated Marketing Campaign - Service

• Noah Dean - Overall Finalist
• Andy Wright
• Sophie Farquhar - Overall Finalist

International Business Plan

• Mitchell Paykin-Steiger

Marketing Management Team Decision Making Event

• Jake Ingber
• Ben Wine

Professional Selling Event

• Kayla Childress

Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series

• Emma Gonda

Restaurant Food Service Management Series

• Autumn Good
• Greyson Scalzi - Role-play medal

School Based Enterprise

• Ella Hesano - International Qualifier 
• Annabel Sturtz - International Qualifier

Sports and Entertainment Operations Research Event

• Noah Golembiewski - Overall Finalist
• Mari Strat - Overall Finalist

Sports and Entertainment Team Decision Making Event

• Alex Conti
• Jack Fouts

Start-Up Business Plan

• Lola Burns - International Qualifier
• Marni Levine
• Tatum Saltsman