MHS DECA: A History of Excellence

Over 1000 Student Winners and Counting

Forty years ago, Mr. Michael Awdziewicz founded the Middletown DECA program. Since that time, through the efforts of thousands of outstanding students, community members, local organizations and parents, the program has become one of, if not the, finest college and career preparatory programs in the state of Connecticut. In 2002 Mr. Dave Reynolds joined the Marketing team and is the current DECA advisor.

The amount of awards and trophies the program has earned would fill a classroom. Just Since 2000, MHS DECA has won various state and national awards. They include:

2023-2024 was a strong year in which our team earned 38 winners at the State Career Development Conference.  On the international level at ICDC, we earned 3 finalist medals and 11 total medals.  We had 191 members and DECA Inc honored us again for this membership milestone.

2022-2023 was an incredible year in which our team earned 44 winners (even with the reduction in medals by CT DECA from 6 to 5) and 1 medal at the Washington Power Trip.  On the international level at ICDC, we earned a Finalist Medal and Top 10 (7th place) medal and one role play medal.  13 Certificates of Excellence were earned.  We had our most members ever at 201.

2021-2022 was another virtual competition year in which our team earned 47 winners at the Connecticut DECA state competition and 1 medal at the Boston Power Trip.  On the international level at ICDC, we earned a 2nd place win in SEM, 6 total medals, and 16 Certificates of Excellence.

2020-2021 was a virtual competition year in which our team earned 45 winners at the Connecticut DECA state competition.

2019-2020 was shortened due to the Covid-19 closures but our students again had an amazing performance at the annual State Career Development Conference.  59 winners and 16 1st place winners.  At the Power Trip in DC two students brought home medals for case-study role-play excellence.

2018-2019 was another outstanding year.  54 winners, 14 of them 1st place winners, at the State Career Development Conference.  In Orlando, where more than 20,000 attendees from around the world competed, MTown students shined, performing best in our history!  21 international medals, 7 top 10 finishes, and 2 3rd place in the world in Business Services and Restaurant and Foods Service Management.  Three medals were earned at the Baltimore, MD Power Trip.

2017-2018 continued our tradition of excellence.  49 winners, 18 of them 1st place winners, at the State Career Development Conference.  In Atlanta, where more than 20,000 attendees from 10 countries (Canada, Spain, India, China, Mexico, Japan, Germany, Honduras, Korea and the United States) competed, MTown students shined.  15 total medals, 6 international finalists and 2 top 10s.  Four medals were earned at the Philadelphia, PA Power Trip.

2016-2017 was another all-time record! 58 winners at the State Career Development Conference. In Anaheim at the International Career Development Conference 27 students earned top 20% honors, 2 students were international finalists and top 10 finishers and 2 other students won medals as top role plays. Three medals were won at the Washington, D.C. Power Trip.

2015-2016 was a dominant year. 48 state winners, 40 qualifying for the International Career Development Conference in Nashville, TN. In Nashville, 28 students earned top 20% honors, 2 students were finalists (top 20 in the world), 8 students earned gold medals as top role plays. We also won a medal at the Austin, TX Power Trip.

2014-2015 was an outstanding year. 39 state winners, 28 students scored high enough to quality for ICDC in Orlando, FL. In Florida, 16 students earned top 20% honors, 4 students were finalists (top 20 in the world) and 2 students earned medals as top role plays. 8 total medals. We also had 3 students win medals at the Washington D.C. Power Trip.

2013-2014 was a dominant year. 45 state winners, 21 first place winners and 32 students scoring high enough to quality for the international competition in Atlanta, GA. In Atlanta, our students earned 24 top 20%, 2 top 20s, 3 top 10s and 1 top 3. 19 medals. We also had 2 students win medals at the Boston Power Trip.

2012-2013 was a great year! 34 state winners, 13 first place winners and 23 scoring high enough to quality for the international competition in Anaheim, CA. In Anaheim, 19 of the 22 students earned top 20% certificates of excellence, 3 students earned a total of 5 medals and one student, Haley McDonald, earned 3rd place in the world for Principles of Marketing.

2011-2012 kept the momentum going, our best year yet! 39 state winners, 17 first place winners, 28 scoring high enough to quality for the international competition in Salt Lake City, UT. 50 students, both first and second year, competed. In Salt Lake City, 17 students earned top 20% certificates of excellence and 3 students earned a total of 7 medals and got on the grand stage!

2010-2011 was even better, breaking the old state record held by us with 34 state winners, 19 scoring high enough to qualify for the international competition in Orlando, FL. 52 students, both first and second year, competed. In Orlando, 6 students earned top 20 certificates.

2009-2010 was our best year to date. 29 winners, 18 scoring high enough to qualify for the international competition in Louisville, KY. Roughly 50 students, both first and second year, competed. In Louisville 3 students earned top 20 certificates. Governor Jodi Rell recognized the program via proclamation.

2008-2009 was arguably our best year. 17 victories, 15 students scoring high enough to qualify for the international competition in Anaheim, California. Roughly 40 students, both first and second year, competed. In Anaheim, 3 students earned medals and 5 earned top 20 certificates.

2007-2008 was a solid year. 13 victories, 6 students scored high enough to qualify for the international competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Roughly 40 students, both first and second year, competed. Once again we swept the top 3 spots in CT for the Virtual Business competition. 

2006-2007 was another stellar year. 13 state winners, 10 of those scored high enough to qualify for the international competition in Orlando, Florida. Roughly 40 students, both first and second year, competed.

During November, 1600 international teams of high school age students competed in the Virtual Business Challenge. This challenge tasked student teams from around the globe to own and operate a virtual convenience store in a downtown area for a simulated year. Seven teams from Middletown DECA competed in this challenge and did an outstanding job. These students earned the top six spots in Connecticut and six of the teams ranked in the top 100 of 1600. The best team, “Blue Dragons” led by junior Chelsea Martin, earned a rank of #35 in the world, which is roughly top 2%! This was the first year Middletown DECA competed in this event. If you see these students please take a moment to congratulate them.

Junior Chelsea Martin #35 in the world, #1 in CT.

Senior Caryn Mitchell #49 in the world, #2 in CT.

Juniors Katy Ahlers and Stephanie Santos #55 in the world, #3 in CT.

Juniors Chris Carlson and Matt Scirpo #63 in the world, #4 in CT.

Juniors Ray Belanger and Ben Eisner #79 in the world, #5 in CT.

Junior Mike Ford #90 in the world, #6 in CT.

Junior Jason Montinieri #12 in CT.

2005-2006 was another great year. 14 state winners, 12 of those scoring high enough to qualify for the national competition in Dallas, Texas. 7 of our winners took first place. 40 students, both first and second year, competed.

2004-2005 was record setting. 17 state winners, 13 of those scoring high enough to qualify for the national competition at Disneyworld in California. 38 students, both first and second year, competed. MHS DECA: Simply the best.

2003-2004 saw another super team of D.E.C.A. students succeed at the state competition. Out of 37 students that competed, both first and second year, 14 won state awards, and 11 had the opportunity to compete in Tennessee at the national convention. Once again, Middletown most likely had the best ratio of students that competed to winners.

2002-2003 was the program's finest year to date. Out of 37 students that competed, both first and second year, 16 won state awards, and 10 had the opportunity to compete in Tampa, Florida at the national convention. Middletown probably had the best ratio of students that competed to winners.