Mound Westonka High School brought 155 students to the 2023 Minnesota DECA State Career Development Conference, which was held March 5-7 in Minneapolis. Continuing a long tradition of excellence for the Westonka DECA program, 28 MWHS students will advance to this year’s DECA Internationals competition.

The following MWHS students will compete with 22,000 top DECA students from around the world at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando April 21-26: seniors Mac Harmer, Annika Hoisington, Abby Hollenstein, Logan Kevitt, Dylan Mather, Savanna Newell, Paige Ostrowski, Gretta Pioske, Ellen Pruitt, Maureen Reily, Avery Roerig, Gwendolyn Roux, Laura Sunnarborg, Graham Taets, Brekken Thompson and Matthew Uhas; juniors Olivia Adam, Sammy Krahl, Gabriella Larsen, Natalie Miner, Addison Nash, Marissa Nelson, Mikey Oftedahl, Anna Olson, Isaac Paul and Rocco Zahasky; sophomore Stella Miner; and ninth grader Allison Kreiser.

In addition to serving as a Minnesota DECA state officer this year as vice president of communications, MWHS senior Ellen Pruitt had the distinction of taking first place at state in her Integrated Marketing Campaign for three years in a row. Pruitt is the only three-time state champion in the history of the Westonka DECA Chapter.

Westonka DECA Students Impress at State Conference

Approximately 4,300 Minnesota DECA student members take part in the organization’s competitive events program during the school year, allowing them to compete in over 50 events focused on the areas of entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, marketing and related fields. The competitions are designed to simulate real-life business scenarios and test students’ academic understanding and skills development. 

After qualifying at district competitions earlier this year, students put their talents to the test during the state competition. The top 12 finishers in each DECA category advance to the state finals. Westonka DECA advanced 52 students/groups to the finals this year:

Written Papers

• Business Services Operations Research – Sage Finck, Zoe Lada and Anna Olson, 6th; Sammy Krahl and Kendra Mattson, 9th
• Buying and Merchandising Operations Research – Rachel Erickson, Piper Kimbrel and Cassie Nemecek, 10th
• Finance Operations Research Project – Ally Eidsness, Sophia Louricas and Maquinna Peglow, 9th
• Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research Project – Max Anderson, Colter Applegate and Ryan Hempel, 7th
• Business Solutions Chapter Project – Abby Hollenstein, Annika Hoisington and Gretta Pioske, 2nd
• Career Development Chapter Project – Natalie Miner, Avery Roerig and Laura Sunnarborg, 2nd
• Community Awareness Chapter Project – Addison Nash and Paige Ostrowski, 1st
• Franchise Business Plan – Ali Butler and Allison Kreiser, 11th
• Integrated Marketing Campaign Service  – Ellen Pruitt, 1st
• Integrated Marketing Campaign Event  – Logan Kevitt, Graham Taets and Matthew Uhas, 1st; Stella Miner and Natalie Miner, 3rd; Audrey Bernal, 11th
• Sports and Entertainment Operations Research - Olivia Adam and Gabriella Larsen, 4th
• Start-Up Business Plan – Jackson Briggs, Jack Markstrom and Jacob Trost, 9th; Hailey Lockwood and Chloe Rice, 10th; Jack Hall, Bryce Helms and Jack Moch, 11th

Professional Selling Events

• Financial Consulting - Savanna Newell, 5th

Principle Role Plays

• Principles of Business Management and Administration - Luke Carlson, 11th

Individual Role Plays

• Apparel and Accessories Marketing Role Play – Abby Hollenstein, 5th
• Business Services Marketing Series – Ellen Pruitt, 2nd; Caryn Childers, 10th
• Entrepreneurship Series Role Play – Addison Nash, 9th
• Food Marketing Role Play - Stella Miner, 5th
• Human Resources Management Role Play - Gwendolyn Roux, 6th; Anna Olson, 7th
• Marketing Communications Role Play – Brekken Thompson, 11th
• Restaurant and Food Service Management Role Play – Laura Sunnarborg, 3rd; Anna Wood, 12th

Team Role Plays

• Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making – Sam Holmberg and Logan Kevitt, 8th; Emma Carlson and Camille Ness, 10th
• Financial Services Team Role Play – Savanna Newell and Maureen Reily, 2nd

State-Only Events (those that don’t advance to International DECA)

• Employment Interview - Advanced Level – Izabella Sullivan, 5th  
• Sales Demonstration - Soft Lines - Scott Greenshields, 11th

Top Test Score Medals

• Personal Financial Literacy Exam - Noah Huesmann, Graham Taets
• Business Management and Administration Cluster Exam - Anna Olson, Gwendolyn Roux
• Marketing Cluster Exam - Ellen Pruitt, Logan Kevitt
• Hospitality Cluster Exam - Laura Sunnarborg, Sara Funderburk
• Entrepreneurship Exam - Dylan Mather, Mac harmer
• Finance Exam - Jagger Wittine

Simonson Earns Honorary Life Membership Award

Also at this year’s state conference, Westonka DECA advisor Sue Simonson was named an Honorary Life Member of Minnesota DECA. The Honorary Life Membership Award is the highest award bestowed upon any individual involved with DECA.

Individuals receiving the Honorary Life Membership Award have contributed time, effort and guidance to the Minnesota DECA organization to aid in its growth and development. This is Simonson's 16th year as a DECA advisor and her seventh year serving on the Minnesota DECA Board of Directors. 

"It is an incredible honor to win this award and be in the same company as others that have had an immense impact on Minnesota DECA," Simonson said. "I absolutely love this organization and the impact that it has on our students."

"I've given a lot to this organization, but in return, I have received so much more from the students I advise and have built so many lasting relationships along the way," Simonson added.