At this year’s DECA district competition on Friday, Dec. 5, 24 students qualified for states, marking the first time in school history the club will compete at the state level. This is an unprecedented jump from three qualifiers: Elena Banulesu (12), Isabella Dalmau (12), and Sofia Bordas (12), last year.

For two-time winner and chapter secretary Dalmau, the moment was two years in the making. Last year at the Miami Dade College Kendall campus District 10 ceremony, only three students advanced to states, which was insufficient for the school to organize a field trip. This year, preparation, commitment, and increased participation led to a dramatic turnaround for the club.

“This year felt calmer and more confident. I trusted my preparation more and focused on doing my best instead of stressing,” Dalmau said.

Members had to select a category, for instance, Dalmau’s was Entrepreneurship, and then take a timed 100-question exam, and their score is ranked with everyone in the district. Only the top five in each category automatically qualify for states. Dalmau said that her first win was shocking, but this year, in a leadership role, has kept her focused. She set a good example by staying organized and planning ahead, which helped the members achieve this win.

“Being a secretary taught me that leadership isn’t always about being in front, but rather about helping everything run smoothly,” Dalmau said.

Emotions were on full display as the final rankings were announced. The executive board and club advisor Jason Dinter were the first to hear the news. Before the board returned, Dinter had shared the incredible news in a school-wide email. Administration greeted the board upon their arrival, uplifting spirits and validating years of hard work and dedication.

“I was very pleased that a bunch of administrators started clapping as we entered the school,” Dinter said. “I think it was a positive experience for the students and me, even though their hard work was recognized.” He shared the team’s goal of ten students qualifying, so he was absolutely overjoyed with the result and is excited to see how the students will translate this experience at states.

Senior Jaida Lewin, DECA co-president, was one of the board members who was also recognized as a winner. Lewin founded this chapter with Bordas after her positive experience at the High School of Business and her desire to provide professional leadership opportunities for students. She has always hoped to empower more women to enter business, and this moment motivates her to pursue a career in the field. She said that districts not only proved how far the club she built from the ground up has come, but also served as a special way to end this chapter of her life.

“It feels like a great way to wrap up my DECA experience,” Lewin said. “It’s something I’m really proud of and a reminder of how much I’ve grown.”

Out of the 24 district winners, 17 will compete at the DECA State Conference, Thursday, March 5-8, in Orlando. The students have already started preparing in a similar way as Districts: through independent study, role-playing, practice exams, online resources, and team collaboration. While each event is different, most include an exam component that parallels districts, along with a pre-made presentation or an improved role-playing scenario.

As DECA members work towards the state competition, they carry the momentum of a milestone district performance. What began with two sophomores has grown to three qualifiers, and the program will now send 24 of its students to states for the first time. The club’s success has strengthened DECA’s role within the school and created a legacy for future students to emulate and aspire to.

Stay tuned for continuous coverage of states in March. Congratulations to the following district winners: