Apex High wins big at state DECA competition

John Santos
News Editor

Apex High DECA has returned after competing at the 2013 Regional Career Development Conference in Greensboro, N.C. A school record of 36 students qualified for the International Competition in Anaheim, Calif. Apex High School also received the Gold Level Chapter Award, which is the highest award given by North Carolina, and received an award for the largest Alumni Division.

Senior Jenna Blas and senior Siri Chadalavada both competed at the state competition this year. Their project, centered on financial literacy, won second place at the competition. “We worked on it the whole semester,” said Chadalavada, “The project was all about the importance of finances in our lives,” she added.

Both Chadalavada and Blas are no strangers to DECA state competitions. This year’s competition was Chadalavada’s third time competing and Blas’ second time representing Apex. “We won a lot more this year,” said Blas. “It was the best state competition for me,” added Chadalavada.

“The most memorable moment was hearing your name get called, getting on stage and posing with our trophies,” said Chadalavada. She will be competing in Anaheim next month for the International Competition. “There’s going to be people there from China and Canada,” she said. “I’m looking forward to meeting other people, and competing on a wider scale,” added Chadalavada.


The DECA International Career Development Conference will take place April 24 – April 27, 2013, in Anaheim, Calif.

Below is a list of all winners at the 2013 Regional Career Development Conference:

Advertising Campaign – Webb Chawla, Matt Felts, Weston Goldberg, and Paula Crisp – State Finalists.

Apparel & Accessories – Beth Fellows – State Finalist.

Automotive Services – Ryan Schmedding – 2^nd place.

Business Law & Ethics Team – Kayla Roll and Gabby Robinson – State Finalists.

Business Services Research – Laura Brockington, Nicole Gonzalez, and Ciara Healey won 1^st place.

Community Service Project – Dipali Aphale and Karen Cheng won 5^th place.

Creative Marketing – Lena McCord and Thomas Schmedding won 2^nd place.

Entrepreneurship Promotion – Ekam Bajwa, Kayla Roll, and Connor Hughes – State Finalists.

Entrepreneurship Written – Shelby Wilt, Jenna Blas, Natalie Soto, Erin Valdini, and Eric Beresid – State Finalists.

Finance Research --  Erica Gilarranz and Emily Rabb won 2^nd place.

Financial Literacy Promotion – Siri Chadalavada and Jenna Blas won 2^nd place.

Financial Team – Siri Chadalavada and Jenna Blas won 4^th place.

Hospitality & Tourism Team – Mike silk and Matt Bailey – State Finalists.

Human Resource Services – Emily Rabb – State Finalist.

International Business Plan – Austin Gardener – State Finalist.

Learn & Earn Project – Matt Bailey, Mike Silk, and Jeff Valdini won 4^th place.

Marketing Communications Team – Kenzie Krogh and Kate Leff won 4^th place.

Principles of Finance – Kate Hobble won 2^nd place.

Principles of Hospitality & Tourism – Ciara Healey won 4^th place.

Public Relations Project – Nick Gilliam, Jenny Wilkes and Shelby Wilt won 2^nd place.

Quick Serve Restaurant Management – Mike Silk won 3^rd place.

Sports Team – Laura Brockington, Nicole Gonzalez, Shannon Horton and Lena McCord – State Finalists.

Sports Research – Jerrod Beresid, Kate Hobble and Connor Linton won 3^rd place.

Sports & Entertainment Promotion – Preston Swaim, Beth Fellows, and Colby Anderson won 5^th place.