On Thursday, Dec. 12, 122 BPHS marketing students involved in the DECA organization traveled to the District III DECA Career Development Conference competition in Moon Township at the Sheraton Hotel. 83 students qualified for the PA DECA Career Conference Development Conference to be held in Hershey, PA from Feb. 26th-28th.

At Districts, the students each chose a marketing event in their area of interest. They had to take a test on this event and perform a “role play” in front of judges.

There were students from four local school districts in the Pittsburgh area competing against each other in their chosen events.

There were events for those who wanted to compete individually or with a partner. The top five individuals and the top three teams each won a trophy and the opportunity to travel to Hershey for the States competition.

Those winners will be joining roughly 3,000 students and advisors from about 70 schools at The Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA.

The BPHS students will be competing to make it through to the Nationals competition in Atlanta.

BPHS DECA member Sam Polen, who came in first place in the Restaurant and Foods Service Management event, said, “I love DECA because I have always had a passion for business, such as marketing and sales. They have always come naturally to me. So the fact that there is a club dedicated to both of those that I can compete in makes it better because I love competition.”

In addition to Sam, there were 23 other students who were first place winners. 22 students placed second, 16 finished in third, 8 placed fourth, and 9 took fifth place.

Last year, seven students advanced to Nationals. With 83 competing at States this year, there is a strong possibility that more than 7 will qualify.