The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

DECA students return from state victorious

Parkway West students stand with their awards at the DECA State Career Development Conference. Twelve students returned as winners of the event. “It was a great experience since I was able to meet new people and spend time with my friends away from schools. Looking back, I’m happy I joined DECA and was able to go to the state competition,” junior Max Brophy said.
Kelly Kennedy
Parkway West students stand with their awards at the DECA State Career Development Conference. Twelve students returned as winners of the event. “It was a great experience since I was able to meet new people and spend time with my friends away from schools. Looking back, I’m happy I joined DECA and was able to go to the state competition,” junior Max Brophy said.

Stepping off the bus, 12 students return from their DECA State Career Development Conference. The state-wide competition took place Monday-Wednesday in Kansas City, Mo. Students who won will move on to nationwide competitions. 

Senior Derrien Gatchel believes it bittersweet. Gatchel and senior Matt Freedman went to state to compete in Sports & Entertainment Management Team Decision Making and returned as third-place winners. 

“[Competing], I felt calm and excited to work with Derrien on what we came here to do. [DECA] gave me more confidence and comfort in a big social setting,” Freedman said.

Gatchel, who also won last year, earned the top test score in Sports & Entertainment management team decision-making.

“I wasn’t expecting it, honestly. I [won] last year, but it was a different test, and our district test this year was hard, so I was nervous about the test. But the state test was super easy, and when they called my name, I wasn’t shocked, but I wasn’t supremely confident either. [Winning] was sweeter last [year] because we finished third in our district event junior year, and we had no idea what to expect. This year I think, was more impressive, though, as our event was competitive, it had a lot more teams and more experienced people,” Gatchel said.

While competing, students are given various scenarios to compete in: multiple-choice tests, role-playing scenarios to respond to, presenting independent business plans and more. Junior Max Brophy was presented with a scenario related to his category, Individual Restaurant & Food Service Management, to find a solution in 10 minutes. 

“I was very nervous in the beginning, but once I sat down and started reading the prompt, it wasn’t bad at all. I had fun presenting my ideas to the judge, especially when the prompt was something I had ideas for,” Brophy said.

Junior Suraiya Saroar placed fifth in individual Hotel & Lodging Management.

“The experience was very surreal because there’s so many different people with knowledge, plus people who are judges are there with a lot of experience in their fields, and it’s a good place to make connections. It was a cool experience, it was very fun and it’s something I’m proud of,” Saroar said.

The following DECA students were recognized at the awards ceremony.

Senior Derrien Gatchel, top test score, Sports & Entertainment Management Team Decision Making

Seniors Matt Freedman and Derrien Gatchel, third, Sports & Entertainment Management Team Decision Making

Senior Ryan Feng, first, Individual Series Accounting

Senior Ethan Bub, fifth, Individual Business Financial Services

Junior Max Brophy, fourth, Individual Restaurant & Food Service Management

Junior Suraiya Saroar, fifth, Individual Hotel & Lodging Management

Seniors Hope Green and Nick Menendez, top 10, Business Law & Ethics Team Decision Making

Seniors Nick Malchanav and Jack Goedde, top 10, Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making

Seniors Hannah Choi and Elise Frost, top 10, Independent Business Plan

Leave a Comment
Donate to Pathfinder
$175
$800
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Parkway West High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
About the Contributors
Grace Loethen, Staff Writer
Pronouns: she/her Grade: 10 Years on staff: 2 What was your favorite childhood TV show? Oomi Zoomi What is your favorite book? I like The Giver by Louis Lowry a lot. What motivates you? Making noticeable progress in my work makes me so happy! It reminds me that I'm getting somewhere and I can reach my goal.
Emily Early, Editor-in-Chief
Pronouns: she/her Grade: 12 Years on staff: 4 What is your favorite piece of literature? "Turtles all the way down" by John Green. Who is your hero? My parents, always. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Realistically, avocado toast, but I really want to say blueberries.
Donate to Pathfinder
$175
$800
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

Please use your own name and keep your comments respectful!
All Pathfinder Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activate Search
The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High
DECA students return from state victorious