Mariya, an AYA student from Ukraine living in Virginia, recently participated with her King George High School DECA chapter at the State Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach. DECA is a non-profit organization with the mission to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. The organization’s slogan for this school year is “Own Your Future.”
Mariya’s DECA chapter at King George High School promotes marketing, management, and entrepreneurship through community involvement and service, in-school activity and spirit support, and the promotion of positive values and behavior in young people. Students contribute through volunteering, public relations projects, educational outreach, running the school store, fundraising and networking efforts that benefit the local community.
At the state competition, KG DECA enjoyed a strong showing with three 1st place wins — including victory for Mariya and two teammates in Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research. Her team will now move on to represent King George High School in competition at DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) taking place at the end of April in Anaheim, California.
Here is what Mariya had to say about the experience:
I’m proud to announce that my team won FIRST place at the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference in the event of Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research. I’m so excited to compete at the international level at ICDC, which will be in Anaheim, California. We will be competing against teams from the United States as well as Canada and other foreign countries. Who knows? Maybe there will be some Ukrainians. 😉 I’m blessed to represent King George at the international level. California, here we come!
Please join AYA in congratulating Mariya and her teammates for their success at the State Leadership Conference — and in wishing them good luck at the ICDC next month, as they not only compete, but also network with students and businesses from all over the world.
Learn more about hosting great AYA students like Mariya, by getting started today!
Her fellow co-winners are Madi Koban and Ryan Roane! Congrats to all!
Congrats!!! I am a a big supporter and fan of DECA. I sponsored DECA while I was teaching., I was the State Officers’ Advisor for six years, and had 18 State DECA officers in 15 years. I had the State DECA Reporter for five years, and we won National Competition for five consecutive years. Our last win was in 1992 in Anaheim, CA!!! I did not run a candidate after that year for Reporter. Five years was enough. LOL. I am soooo proud for Marius!!! Good luck st Anaheim!!! My last year there was 2005 when I served as a collegiate DECA judge!!!
Sorry about the misspelled name, Mariya!
This phone “corrects” when I am right, LOL