BHS students excel at state DECA competition

Eleven students from Burnsville High School participated in the annual Minnesota DECA State Career Development Conference in Minneapolis in early March.

During the school year, approximately 3,500 Minnesota DECA members take part in the organization's competitive events program, allowing them to compete in more than 50 events focused in the areas of entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, marketing and other related fields. The competitions are designed to simulate real-life business scenarios and test students’ academic understanding and skills development. After qualifying earlier this year, district winners put their talents to the test during the State Career Development Conference.

BHS students who participated in the state competition are: 

• Ryan Brown, 5th place in Hotel and Lodging Management; top 12 in Independent Business Plan 
• Kira Theng, top 8 finalist in Sales Demonstration-General/Home; top 12 in Restaurant/Food Service Management; top 12 in Independent Business Plan
• Noah Leipnitz, top 12 in Independent Business Plan, State qualifier in Business Services Marketing
• Julia Osmolski, Restaurant/Food Service Management
• A.J. Kneisl, Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making
• Ben Stortroen, Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making
• Quinn Hess, Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making
• Ali Norton, Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making
• Collin Boyum, Principles of Finance
• Zach Johnson, Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
• Aditya Shoor, Principles of Business Administration

By finishing 5th in Hotel and Lodging management, Ryan Brown earned entry to the International Career Development Conference, DECA’s top competition in Orlando later this year. 

For more information about Minnesota DECA, visit www.mndeca.org.