The clock is started, the given twenty minutes are rapidly ticking down, and two students have a problem to solve.

They were given a problematic business situation and twenty minutes to create their own solution. To some this may sound difficult or ridiculous, but to DECA students this is just part of what they do.DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. This is the mission statement of the deca foundation, an organization that is focused on prospering in buisness world.

At Milford high school, DECA is not only a very popular club, but also a very sucessful club too. Recently at the state DECA compitition in Grand Rapids, 10 Milford students qualified for the national competition in Anaheim Califonia. 

The students who qualified are: Emily Husic and Kathleen Kruzewski for Financial Operation Research, Pierce Millington and Matt stevenson for Enterpreneurship Research, Lindsay Smith for Food Marketing, Justin Lewis and Jason VanderHorst for Sports and Entertainment, Cody Snavely for Stock Market, and Kyle Monagle, and Anna Shaffer for Marketing Role Plays. 

It took much effort on the part of the students to make it this far. To prepare, the students started taking online tests in October and staying after school for extra help. Once they had succeeded at the district meet, it was off to practicing again to prepare for the state meet.

Once of the most helpful of these is whe there are “Pizza and Practices.”Pizza and practices are when students meet with different buisnesses of the community who help facilitate role plays.

Consequently, at the same time they enjoy pizza too. “They really helped get rid of some of the nerves because we were able to practice,” stated senior Lindsay Smith, referring to the Pizza and Practices.Finally, once the students have prepared themselves, it is time to compete. Sommers believes that this is one of the best parts about running DECA.

“It’s great because I get to see the kids grow,” she stated happily. I can tell them about it, we can simulate it in the classroom, but their own personal recognition of their shortcomings and strengths; it’s just amazing, and every competition they grow more and more.”

But it’s not only about the contest, there is so much more to the meets. As a student, Smith enjoys meeting and working with new people, “they have different lives than we do here at Milford,” she explained. Sommers agreed, “The meets give them a chance to meet and interact with their future competitors in life.”

All in all, many are looking towards internationals with high hopes, and good skills to back them up. “They are awesome and I am sure they are going to make Milford High School very proud,” Sommers stated with a smile and a sense of finality.