Juniors Benjamin Lam and Emily Zhang accept their first place plaque.
By Staff Writers Rishi Chillara & Shreya Sridhar
MSJ DECA sent 147 students to the State Career Development Conference (SCDC) from March 2 to 5. Competition in dozens of events culminated in the qualification of 44 competitors to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).
After settling into the Anaheim Marriott on the first day of the conference, participants began competing by taking tests on marketing, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and finance. On the second and third days, competitors continued vying for placement in various events including prepared written reports and extemporaneous role-play presentations.
While at the conference, two MSJ students campaigned for state officer positions. Though Junior Shayan Panjwani fell short in his bid to become California Vice President of Public Relations, MSJ DECA President Junior Emily Zhang successfully won the position of CA President. Zhang is the first MSJ student to serve as CA President since Class of 2015 Alumnus Dustin Chiang, who held the position during both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Remarking on her experience in leadership within DECA as well as her vision for the state organization in the coming year, Zhang said, “I am so proud of all of our members for their hard work this DECA season, and I am also incredibly honored and humbled to serve as California DECA’s next State President.”
The conference closed with the Grand Awards Session on the final day. MSJ students were well-rewarded for their hard work leading up to SCDC; 23 teams placed in the top four in their events, translating to 44 individuals qualifying to ICDC. MSJ DECA cemented its position as a state-level powerhouse by sending the second-most competitors of any chapter to ICDC.
Qualifiers will head to ICDC, held in Atlanta, GA from April 21 to 24, hoping to win on the international stage. Vice President of Competitions Junior Abhi Upadhyay said, “I am extremely proud of MSJ’s performance at this conference and have no doubts they will continue to make our chapter proud at ICDC.”
Photo courtesy Jessica Wang
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