On January 6, 2020, the New Jersey DECA Regionals competition was held at the Crowne Plaza. About 310 Cherry Hill East students competed in this tough competition.

DECA is a club that many students can participate in during their years of high school. It helps prepare students in the fields of marketing, hospitality, finance and management. DECA is a great way for students to prepare for their future careers.

In order to participate in the DECA regional competition, students have to be enrolled in a business class. Different classes include, Introduction to Business, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Business Management and Entrepenuership.
Prior to the DECA Regionals competition, students are required to complete a test. This test is ⅓ of the participants final score at the DECA competition. It plays a major factor when deciding whether or not the student should qualify for DECA States.

Students can partake in contests with a partner or as an individual. Also, there are many contests available to students, so they can find the one they are truly passionate about.

Some individual events included Business Service Marketing, Food Marketing, Principles of Marketing and more.

Some team events included Business Law & Ethics, Hospitality Services, Sports and Entertainment, Hospitality and Tourism and more.
Overall, Cherry Hill East had a very successful day at the New Jersey DECA regionals competition. The school is sending 112 students to DECA States, which is the next round of the competition.

Of the 112 East students that qualified for DECA States, 23 students came in first place, 22 students came in second place and 5 students came in third place.
It is very challenging to make it to DECA States. Students spend countless hours of hardwork preparing for the big day. Students at Cherry Hill East prepare for the DECA competition in many different ways.

Sophie Heidt (‘23), a competitor and finalist from the competition competing in Travel & Tourism Marketing Management Team Decision Making spent lots of time preparing.

Heidt said she prepared for DECA by, “…reading a bunch of articles online about how to have a good role play. She also said, “My partner and I practiced with online examples of role plays from prior years. I also took many practice tests before I took the test part of the DECA competition.”

One student that qualified for DECA States and won second place in the Buying and Merchandising Management Team Decision Making was Amanda Merovitz (‘22).
Merovitz said, “DECA was a great learning experience. Not only was it competitive, fun and interesting, but it made me really use my business skills. My partner,

Jacy Dickstein (‘22), and I really had to work together to come up with creative and innovative answers to the promo we were given. Overall I can’t wait for states, and to compete again next year!”

Students who advanced to DECA States will compete March 2nd to March 4th at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. These students are very excited and alreday counting down the days.