126 Danvers High Students Qualify For DECA State Conference

DANVERS, MA — Danvers High School will send a record 126 students to the DECA State Career Development Conference for future business leaders in Boston in March as the program continues to expand and excel at the high school.

The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) prepares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management with Danvers historically faring very well at local, national and international competitions. Last year, four groups of students finished in the top 20 in their respective categories at the international competition, including two written projects finishing with a top-three ranking.

"This conference once again highlighted the creativity and hard work our students have towards projects, especially ones they feel passionate about," DHS business teacher and DECA advisor Meghan Beaulieu said. "This group really stands out because many of the projects were connected to our community, working with local organizations and other schools. Projects such as Budget Buddies, which worked with Thorpe School third graders, placed first overall due to the detailed planning and implementation of the project."

Another program was the mini "Shark Tank" competition among the district's fourth-grade classes, a business fair at Smith Elementary, a financial literacy program at Thorpe Elementary, a career fair for fifth graders, a school store at the Holten Richmond Middle School and a mini mock trial.

"I am so impressed by the creativity and hard work of our DECA students," DHS Principal Adam Federico said. "Their projects not only attain excellence in the DECA competitions but also serve as a force for good in Danvers High School and the larger community of Danvers."

The DECA experience is partially in the classroom and then expanded to include developing business-related concepts and competitions to help students be academically prepared, community-oriented and professionally responsible upon graduation.

"The skills that they take from these projects and their overall involvement in DECA are so many," said Beaulieu. "They display communication and collaboration skills in working together with their group and outside stakeholders. They also must be detail-oriented and have problem-solving skills as they run into inevitable issues.

"Overall, it is their passion and commitment to their projects that lead to their success. I hope in the future, they take these skills with them in college or any future careers, while also realizing the importance of community and giving back."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)