DECA, An Association of Marketing Students, commonly known as just "DECA," is a co-curricular student organization with an emphasis on preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. High school students can join DECA by taking a marketing class.

Fifteen students from Arapahoe High School’s DECA club have qualified to compete in their industry-specific categories at the International Career Development Competition in Atlanta in April. The competition will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center, and students will be competing for college scholarships and international recognition.

In order to qualify for the international competition, 52 Arapahoe students competed at the State Career Development Conference at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs February 27–March 1. Competitors went through a rigorous process to demonstrate proficiency in different areas of business. Some wrote business and/or marketing plans they had to research and develop themselves, while others took extensive content area exams in order to earn the opportunity to present a creative solution to a real-world business issue.

"I am so proud of the hard work and effort that these students have put in for months preparing for the State competition. I love to see them up on stage at the Broadmoor, receiving the recognition they have earned!" said DECA advisor and business and marketing teacher, Erin Grantham.

Students who will attend international competition
Abby Morgan, senior
Abby Cowles, senior
Aisha Kunigal, senior
Angela Weigl, senior
Camdyn Hall, senior
Cole Hansen, senior
Connor Duris, senior
Isabelle Rosado, senior
Jackson Adams, senior
Kendall Babbs, senior
Lindsey Santos, senior
Mia Cardello, senior
Sam Thompson, senior
Will Donahue, junior

Finalists
Ali Taliaferro, junior
Emma Larson, senior
Hannah McGee, senior
Julianna Brandberg, junior
Shannon McInally, junior
Vivian Olson, senior