On Feb. 21 through Feb. 23, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood DECA chapter traveled to Atlantic City to compete in the DECA State Conference. Their hard work they put in since Sept has paid off with their successful outcome.
After all the students competed,the judges announced the top 12 finalists who had to compete again in finals. On the last day of the event, at awards, they brought up the 12 finalists on stage and announced the top 6, who would all move on to nationals.
At states this year, many students placed in the top six. One partnership includes junior Niva Patel and senior Max Mazursky who competed in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Category. Also, seniors Patrick Ellman and Robbie Viglione placed second in the Marketing Management category and Jake Canavan and David Walker placed first in the Promotion Planning category.
Mazursky is ready to compete for his fourth and final year in DECA and hopes for the best for his time at Nationals.
“I think we definitely need to improve our testing and knowledge of Marketing,” Mazursky said. “We just need to be enthusiastic and excited when it comes time to compete.”

DECA is not just a club that students are in but it is an experience that has an impact on the members. It prepares its participants for the real world by teaching them skills they need for the future.
“Overall, I think my experiences in DECA have really improved my public speaking skills,” Patel said. “I don’t get nervous speaking one-on-one in front of a judge anymore.”
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood DECA chapter is taking their best efforts and will be competing in Anaheim, California on April 25 through April 30.