Preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
Upcoming Travel & Competitions
Participate in one of these events in Scottsbluff, Millard, and Lincoln between now and January!
State Career Development Conference 2026 will take place at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, March 19-20!
ICDC 2026 will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, April 25-28!
Congrats to October’s Member & Chapter of the Month!
Member of the Month, Madilynn Winger
“My favorite activity has been getting to mentor all of our new recruits and showing them the ins and outs of DECA. I feel I have really gotten to make a difference in their high school career because they will continue with it through school. ” – Madilynn Winger, Bellevue West, DECA Vice President of Chapter Membership
How Chapter of the Month, Westside, Connects to Business:
“Currently, we are actively engaged with establishments such as First National Bank of Omaha, Smoothie King, Kobe Steakhouse, … and esteemed partners like Adidas and Champion. We have also collabed with local businesses such as Four Sister Boutique to create Westside apparel. Our approach involves hosting
guest speakers, securing sponsorships, organizing fundraisers, and fostering valuable learning experiences
through these business partnerships.” – Westside DECA
Greetings from the 2025-2026 Nebraska DECA State Officer Action Team!
Recent Competitions & Results
Officer Team 2025-2026 at ICDC 2025 (minus Konnor Garrett and plus a new friend!)
International Career Development and Conference held in Orlando, Florida, April 2025
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.
ICDC 2025 Nebraska Results
Nebraska Top 10 Winners:
Noah Behrens and Chloe Teter, Millard West High School, 8th Place in Community Giving Project
Ella Daily and Tatum Stanley, Millard South High School, 10th Place 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
Micah Caverzagie and Jacob Hippe, Papillion LaVista South High School, Finalist and Top Presentation 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
Anagha Vemmelesseril, Millard North High School, Top Exam 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
National Scholarship Recipients:
Claudia Geiseman, Westside High School, Clearpoint Business Group Scholarship
School-Based Enterprise Awards:
Gold Certified Retail Operations – Gering High School & Millard South High School
Gold Re-certified Retail Operations – Scottsbluff High School, Sidney High School, & Westside High School
Leadership Recognition:
Largest Nebraska DECA Chapter, Westside High School
Nebraska Chapter with Highest Percent Increase, Kearney High School
Advisor 40 Years of Service, Derek Deaver, Scottsbluff High School
ICDC 2026 will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, April 25-28!
State Career Development Conference in Lincoln, March 2025 & Results
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. DECA SCDC 2025 Competitive Event State Results; DECA SCDC 2025 Special Award Results
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.