Join us in congratulating the Endicott chapter of DECA for a fantastic showing at the 50^th International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando, FL (April 13-16). Of the 22 competitors who traveled to the conference, half received Top 10 medals!

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Awards at ICDC are given in 20 different competitive events such as finance, hospitality, business to business marketing, and financial statement analysis.

“I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments of the Endicott students,” said Professor Margaret Ake, Faculty Advisor. “Each member of the team worked hard throughout the year to prepare for this competition.”

We’d also like to congratulate Professor Ake for her recognition as Advisor of the Year for the Northeast Region.

The Endicott DECA Chapter received the Presidential Passport Award, the highest level chapter award for engagement.  To be considered for this award the chapter had to complete a series of tasks, including working on a community service project, completing a program of work, preparing tangible goals for each officer, fundraising, hosting a social event, and competing in a competition preparation event.  Each chapter was judged based on how well they planned and executed these tasks while demonstrating competence, innovation, integrity, and teamwork.

Individually, the Endicott team brought home several honors. Sean Bisighini and Jamie Stevens earned first place awards in Financial Statement Analysis;  Endciott also claimed the second place spot in the same category, with awards to Matt Gronlund and Michelle Backlund.

Four Endicott College DECA students took first and second place in the ICDC Financial Statement Analysis category. From (l-r) Michelle Backlund and Matt Gronlund (Second Place), and Jamie Stevens and Sean Bisighini (First Place)

Other top performers included Jesse Restivo (Marketing Management), George Panagiotopoulos (Finance), Nicole Ames (Hospitality), Erin Hodlin and Jamie Turcotte (Business to Business Marketing), and Joanna Norko and Samantha Mullen (Business Ethics).

Eleven Endicott College DECA students advanced to the final round of ICDC competition and finished in the Top 10 of their competitive categories. From (l-r) Sean Bisighini, Jamie Turcotte, Joanna Norko, Jamie Stevens, Samantha Mullen, Michelle Backlund, Jesse Restivo, Matt Gronlund, George Panagiotopoulos, Erin Hodlin, and Nicole Ames

“This was a special group,” said Restivo, Endicott chapter President. “We had 11 out of 22 students move on to the finals and eventually place in the top ten. For a small school to move 50% of our chapter to the top ten is quite a feat. We were also an extremely close group with a great group of seniors that allowed us to have a great time together. I am sad to see these seniors go.”

“I am proud of our whole team,” said Bisighini, Endicott chapter Treasurer. “Everyone gave their best effort and having half of our team placing in the top ten was evidence of this. Professor Ake and [assistant advisor Professor Linda] Robson instilled confidence in our whole team and we could not have done it without them. ”

In addition to these noteworthy accomplishments at the conference, the team enjoyed a trip to Orlando, Florida, complete with a visit to Universal Studios. Not bad!

The full Endicott College DECA chapter poses during the ICDC Conference at CityWalk in Universal Studios, FL

The ICDC conference provides collegiate DECA chapter students with the opportunity to highlight their development in leadership, receive recognition for competitive achievement, and network with other DECA students, advisors and industry leaders.

If you’re interested in joining DECA, contact Margaret Ake at make (at) endicott (dot) edu. With all the departing seniors this year, the team will be looking for some new members!