DECA: Prepares H.S. Students with Employable Skills

For more information contact:
Marie Burbach, State Advisor
Wisconsin DECA
Department of Public Instruction
(608) 267-3161
marie.burbach@dpi.state.wi.us

339 Wisconsin Youth Recognized at International Conference

MADISON, Wis. (September 13, 2005) – Wisconsin DECA, the fourth largest state division of a national association of marketing students, surpassed previous achievements by 25% at the recent annual international DECA conference recognizing skills and competence in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Three hundred thirty-nine Wisconsin high school students were recognized including seven students and two teachers who received scholarships.

A recent study released by Northstar Economics and the Wisconsin Technology Center found that Wisconsin trails the U.S. average in the percentage of college graduates. Wisconsin DECA helps to supply Wisconsin’s employers with educated and skilled workers through motivating high school students to learn marketing competencies that will prepare them to become skilled, employable workers in marketing, managing, entrepreneurship and marketing-related areas. Students participate in community service projects, leadership training, social activities and marketing competitions such as the International Career Development Conference. Many students go on to join the college division, Delta Epsilon Chi.

ABOUT DECA
After 56 years, DECA chapters have grown to operate in 5,000 high schools and 200 colleges across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and Canada. Recently, chapters have started in Germany. With over 185,000 members, (172,000 high school and 13,000 college members) DECA has a significant impact on today’s youth. DECA’s objective is to support the development of marketing and management skills in career areas such as hospitality, finance, sales and service, business administration and entrepreneurship. DECA is a nonpartisan, non-sectarian 501(c)(3) association of students, teachers, and administrators and is recognized and endorsed by all 50 state departments of education and the U.S. Department of Education.