Competing against 17,000 of the nation's most outstanding marketing students, two GCHS DECA teams finished in the top three nationally during this year's DECA International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California.
McKenzie Snyder and Mekenzie Ballard took the stage, finishing third with their Creative Marketing Plan, a tribute to Grayson County’s rich musical and fiddling heritage.
MDA project leaders, Zach Lashley, Noah Cummings, and Haley Risinger, raised a Grayson County record $12,496 for that cause this year, the third largest total in the nation among DECA chapters. In addition to receiving Certificates of Excellence for their project, they were treated to a VIP luncheon and on-stage recognition.
Others earning a Certificate of Excellence, awarded for achieving at least 70 percent in their events, included: Haley Dockery and Kaylee Embry, Learn and Earn Project; Dylan Geary, Public Relations Project; Robbie Hayes, Business Services Marketing; and Ashley Clemons and Ethan Hayse, Community Service Project, Autism.
National honors are a longstanding tradition for GCHS DECA. The chapter has had students recognized at the national level every year since 2001, the longest record in state DECA history.
The MDA Community Service Team of Noah Cummings, Haley Risinger and Zach Lashley, on stage receiving their award as the third highest fundraising chapter in the nation, with $12,496.
Certificates of Excellence were awarded to these DECA members for achieving 70 percent or better in their events.
