The Owatonna High School DECA chapter hosted the district competition this month at Christian Family Church. Many students qualified for the state event in March.

DECA is a marketing program where students work on their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Local business leaders and community members volunteered as judges for the January 8 competition. Students performed role-playing scenarios, made presentations and were interviewed.

First-place finishers among the Owatonna students include

  • Alex Emanuelson and Karissa Hilstad - hospitality team event
  • Luke Bunkers - HR management
  • Eli Havelka, Alec Holcomb and Blake Westphal - innovation
  • Anna Keltto - marketing management
  • Lydia Anez and Luke Holzerland - marketing communications
  • Ghoutham Manokar - personal financial literacy
  • Zach Jorgenson and Riley Arthur - principles of business management
  • Lauren Davis - principles of hospitality
  • Haden Fox - principles of marketing
  • Katie Segler and Jack Redman - quick serve restaurant
  • Maria Golberg - restaurant and food service
  • Lydia Anez, Amanda Collins and Sam Schuster - sales demonstrations
  • Alec Holcomb and Daniel Keller - sports and entertainment, individuals
  • Brady Ruiter and Eli Havelka - sports and entertainment, team
  • Jenna Rhoades and Maria Golberg - travel and tourism
  • Braden Meier and Erica Svenby - travel and tourism
  • Karissa Hilstad, Brooke Otterson and Alex Emanuelson - advertising campaign
  • Mark Hanson and Brooke Otterson - buying and merchandising role playing
  • Jenna Rhoades - economics in marketing
  • Maria Golberg - employment interview (advanced level)
  • Grace Pick, Sam Callen, Rebecca Sedivy, Meghan Rethemeier, Alex Emanuelson - employment interview
  • Emma Fladager - fashion merchandising
  • Riley Arthur and Sam Callen - financial consulting
  • Noah Loveless - food marketing

Owatonna students who finished second and weren't mentioned above include

  • Isaac Vande Zande
  • Noah Scheid
  • Elena Bueltel
  • Luke Bunkers
  • Savannah Brown
  • Jackson Anderson
  • Mason Thein
  • Riley Sheehy
  • Rylee Muhr
  • Terrell Conner

Owatonna's Hometown Credit Union sponsored the district competition. Students who place in the top three at the Minnesota State Career Development Conference in March qualify for the national event in Tennessee in April.

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