SYRACUSE —  Wawasee High School’s DECA chapter continues to make its mark in business and marketing education, earning top honors at the Indiana DECA Association Career Development Conference, March 2-4, in Indianapolis.

Competing among more than 2,400 high school students from across the state, Wawasee students demonstrated exceptional skills in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing.

Leading the way, Cyanna Leon and Sophia Smith brought home 1st place in Project Management: Community Awareness Project, securing their spot at the prestigious DECA International Career Development Conference, April 26-29, in Orlando, Fla.

The chapter also earned the distinguished THRIVE Level recognition in DECA’s 2024-2025 Chapter Campaigns, a testament to their dedication and commitment to excellence.

Reflecting on the chapter’s success, Michelle Bradley, WHS DECA advisor, shared, “To say I am proud of our chapter is an understatement. Our students exceeded all my expectations this year. During DECA’s Emerging Leaders’ Summit in July 2024, veteran advisors told me to focus on just one or two goals — but our team went above and beyond. Under the leadership of Chapter President Julia Pohl and Vice President of Leadership Hannah Hughes, our students put in countless hours to complete multiple Challenges and Campaigns. Their hard work paid off with our THRIVE Level achievement, and when I heard Sophia and Cyanna’s names announced as 1st place winners, beating powerhouse schools like Penn and Carmel, I was speechless. This success is just one step toward making Wawasee High School the top high school in Indiana!”

This year’s achievements add to Wawasee’s growing legacy of DECA success. In previous years:

● 2020: Wawasee had qualifiers for ICDC, but the event was canceled due to COVID-19.

● 2021 & 2023: Students attended ICDC, showcasing Wawasee’s continued presence on the international stage.

● 2024: Summit Shaw earned statewide recognition for his outstanding Business Management and Administration exam score.

Wawasee joins a select group of schools from Region 1, District 2 sending students to ICDC, including Penn High School and John Adams High School.

With industry-aligned competitions in marketing, business, finance, and hospitality, DECA prepares students to be college and career-ready. More than 170 business professionals evaluated participants through role-plays, case studies, and prepared presentations, reinforcing real-world skills.

As Wawasee High School DECA celebrates its outstanding accomplishments, the future looks bright for these young business leaders. Best wishes are offered to Leon and Smith as they represent Wawasee on the international stage in Orlando.