Sparta DECA on their way to state

On Saturday, January 7^th, the 2023 DECA competitions got underway. Seventeen Sparta DECA members participated in the first rounds, being held at the University of Wisconsin Stout. The following members received awards.

1^st Place - Kira Markuson & Vanessa Gavilan, in Business Law & Ethics Team.

2^nd Place - Sarah Noble & Rylee Rebeck, in Travel & Tourism Team. Kolby Ketron, in Principle of Finance.

Finalist – Leah Modjeski, in Retail Marketing Series.

Medalist – Ellsey Caulkins in Retail Marketing Series, Avery Abbott in Principles of Hospitality & Tourism, Emma Smith and Ryder Erickson in Principles of  Business Management & Administration.

Along with the students competing, we need to thank the following individuals for taking their time and volunteering as judges for this event -  Chip Manske and James Rasmussen, from Sparta, Michelle Kressin and Haleigh Carr, from Menomonie, Andrea Hoesley-Washa, from La Crosse, Jackie and  Whitney Page, from Minnetonka, Minnesota, along with Brenon Burkhardt, for helping run the event.

The following Thirteen students will be headed to the next level of competition, State Career Development Conference, on February 26th, in Lake Geneva. Kira Markuson and Vanessa  Gavilan - competing both in Business Law & Ethic Team and Integrated Marketing Campaign -Service;  Sarah Noble and Rylee Rebeck competing both in Travel & Tourism Team and International Business Plan; Kolby Ketron competing in Principles of Finance and Professional Selling - Finance; Leah Modjeski competing in Retail Marketing Series and Professional Selling - Marketing; Avery Abbot - competing in Principles of Hospitality & Tourism and Professional Selling - Marketing;  Kaylie Church - competing in Principles of Hospitality & Tourism and Professional Selling - Hospitality & Tourism; Emma Smith will compete in Principles of  Business Management & Administration, along with working with Ellsey Caulkins, on the Sales Project Manual on our DECA Cards. Ellsey is also competing in the Retail Marketing Series, along with running for State Office for DECA. Next, we have Ava Erickson and Jocelyn Evans, competing together in both Entrepreneurship Team and Start-up Business Plan Manual. Lastly, we have Ryder Erickson, competing in Principles of Business Management & Administration.

The students with projects are being guided this year by business owner Ben Grahms, American Family Insurance Agent. Each student will be meeting with Ben, to do their presentation, before leaving for the State Competition. Chip Manske will also be headed to Lake Geneva, to help judge! Sparta DECA is very blessed to have the support from these business professionals.