DECA members from Lafayette High School competed at Kentucky’s 2016 State Career Development Conference, which ran March 6-8 in Louisville. Michayla Gatsos placed third in Principles of Hospitality & Tourism, and Isabella Quire was third in Retail Merchandising. Several others made the finalist round: Grace Cook in Food Marketing, Tess Cook in Fashion Merchandising Promotional Plan, Sibley Miller in Marketing Management, and Lydia Sarver in Community Service Project. The Lafayette club is led by adviser Todd Reynolds.
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. In addition to the competitive events, many students and advisers participate in a variety of leadership academies and career-advancing conferences.
The club from Tates Creek High School opted out of DECA competitions this year. Instead, adviser Nick Sutherland took several students to February’s sports and entertainment marketing conference in Orlando, which featured executives from Universal Studios, the Orlando Magic, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, among others.