ICDC 2011
Four Kirkwood DECA students earn "Top 10" Award at ICDC
Kirkwood High School marketing students Suzanne Hesse, Brad Kuziel, Charlie Jaschek and Max Knudsen were among 16 Missouri high school students who received a “Top 10” award for achievement and were honored on stage at the 65th Annual DECA International Career Development Conference held April 30-May 3 in Orlando, Fla. Hesse received recognition in the Apparel and Accessories Marketing event. Kuziel, Jascheck, and Knudsen received recognition as a team in the Advertising Campaign event.
The International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is attended by more than 14,000 high school students, advisors, business representatives, and alumni. The annual conference is sponsored by National DECA. More than 8,200 of the participants are competitors in one of DECA’s competitive events. Each competitive event has an average of 150 competitors (individuals or teams). Top competitors in each event category are recognized for their outstanding achievements.
Suzanne Hesse is the daughter of Dave Hesse and Lisa Sapienza, Kirkwood. As a senior, she is active in DECA, Future Business Leaders of America, and volleyball. Her future plans are to attend Saint Louis University, where she will be majoring in International Business.
Charlie Jaschek is the son of Peggy and Frederick Jaschek, Kirkwood. As a junior, he is active in DECA, National Honor Society, drumline, and vice president of his class. His future plans are to major in neuroscience and eventually attend medical school.
Bradley Kuziel is the son of Jerry and Kathy Kuziel, Kirkwood. As a junior, he is active in DECA, racquetball, Linked Crew, and class office. His future plans are to attend Indiana University and major in entrepreneurship.
Maxwell Knudsen is the son of Vicki and Andy Knudsen, Kirkwood. As a junior, he is active in DECA, soccer, and orchestra. His future plans are to attend the University of Missouri and major in business. .
In addition to these students, three other KHS students received the Award of Excellence for their projects. They are Ian Turek, who competed in Business Services Marketing event and was recognized for having one of the top 10 best test scores; Maggie Hallam, Retail Merchandising; and Casey Hackett, Marketing Management. Lexi Koch, who qualified for the international competition by winning fourth at state, competed in Restaurant and Food Service Management.
The Kirkwood DECA chapter has 82 members this school year. Chapter advisors are Bryce Bunton and Santee Nixon. DECA’s competitive events provide a vehicle for members to demonstrate National Curriculum Standards through individual or team activities. DECA students use analysis, creative problem solving and presentation skills to show what they’ve learned in the marketing/business curriculum and through local chapter projects.
DECA, an international association of high school marketing students, prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Missouri DECA has 178 local chapters and is ranked sixth in membership with more than 9,100 members statewide.