Preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
DECA State Career Development Conference 2025
Nebraska DECA students and advisors met for their 68th annual State Career Development Conference in Lincoln March 20-21, 2025, at the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. Overcoming a snow storm, participants included 35 chapters, nearly 700 students, 42 advisors, and 77 judges! Students had great success in 40 chapter, team, and individual events and 14 students ran for Nebraska DECA’s seven State Officer positions.
NEBRASKA DECA INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNERS
Nearly 250 Nebraska students, advisors, and guests recently attended the 2025 DECA International Career Development Conference held this year in Orlando, Florida. Nebraska DECA High School members representing 27 chapters across the state competed April 26-April 29. Students from all over the United States gathered and attended leadership academies with industry leaders, elected an executive student officer team, competed in 59 competitive events, and participated in exclusive happenings. The International Career Development Conference is the culmination of students’ hard work over the academic year and an opportunity to showcase the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom.
CONGRATULATIONS TO NEBRASKA DECA INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNERS!
Nebraska Top 10 Winners:
Ella Daily and Tatum Stanley, Millard South High School, Top 10 in School Based Enterprise – Retail Operations
Nebraska Event Finalists:
Wesley Chen, Millard North High School, Finalist in Accounting Applications Series
Jeffrey Sookram, Millard North High School, Finalist in Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series
Noah Behrens and Chloe Teter, Millard West High School, Finalist in Community Giving Project
Micah Caverzagie and Jacob Hippe, Papillion LaVista South High School, Finalist in Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making
Aditi Jaras and Anagha Vemmelesseril, Millard North High School, Finalist in Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making
Iman Khalil, Millard West High School, Top Role Play in Restaurant and Food Service Management Systems
Spencer Krenk, Lincoln Southwest High School, Top Exam in Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series
Ian Moravek, Millard North High School, Top Exam in Principles of Finance
Laila Pace, Millard North High School, Top Role Play in Entrepreneurship Series
Nebraska National Scholarship Recipient:
Claudia Geiseman, Westside High School, Clearpoint Business Group Scholarship
ICDC 2026 will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, April 25-28!
DECA’s Mission
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.
DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program
- Integrates into Classroom Instruction – An integral component of classroom instruction, DECA activities provide authentic, experiential learning methods to prepare members for college and careers.
- Applies Learning – DECA members put their knowledge into action through rigorous project-based activities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes.
- Connects to Business – Partnerships with businesses at local and broader levels provide DECA members realistic insight into industry and promote meaningful, relevant learning.
- Promotes Competition – As in the global economy, a spark of competition drives DECA members to excel and improve their performance.
DECA prepares the next generation to be:
- Academically Prepared – DECA members are ambitious, high-achieving leaders equipped to conquer the challenges of their aspirations.
- Community Oriented – Recognizing the benefit of service and responsibility to the community, DECA members continually impact and improve their local and broader communities.
- Professionally Responsible – DECA members are poised professionals with ethics, integrity, and high standards.
- Experienced Leaders – DECA members are empowered through experience to provide effective leadership through goal setting, consensus building, and project implementation.
In 2025-2026, DECA challenges members to GO THE EXTRA.
As emerging leaders, you know that success is more than just meeting expectations—it’s about exceeding them. This year, we dare you to Go The Extra—the extra mile, the extra step, the extra level on the path to achieving your college and career goals.
Whether it’s competing in a new competitive event, working towards THRIVE LEVEL in chapter campaigns, going for GOLD certification with your SBE or developing new leadership skills, now is the time to push yourself and Go The Extra.