Congratulations to Mahtomedi High School (MHS) Class of 2025 students, Aida Thiam and Audrey Carlson on advancing to the DECA International Career Development Conference(ICDC). They competed in the Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making event at the DECA Minnesota State Competition. The students shared, “Competing at state was a highly rewarding experience, allowing us to showcase our DECA skills in a dynamic and competitive environment. It was incredible to see our hard work come to fruition while simultaneously enjoying the experience with our fellow DECA members. The competition challenged us to think critically, work efficiently under pressure, and grow as professionals, making it an unforgettable opportunity.”
Their score included both test scores from an exam and a role-play score. The Hospitality and Tourism exam consisted of 100 questions that they had to complete in 1 hour. The role play included a case study they had not seen prior to the competition that was related to the travel and tourism industry. They had 30 minutes to analyze the situation, develop a strategic solution, and prepare a presentation. Then they presented the recommendations to a judge acting as a business professional in the industry. This qualified them for finals and then they competed in a final role play where they advanced to the ICDC.
DECA is a class and club offered at MHS. Aida and Audrey shared this about their experience, "The DECA class and club created an encouraging environment where we could practice, collaborate, and push each other to improve. Ms. Dahl was the reason we felt so prepared and confident walking into that competition. She believed in us even when we doubted ourselves and spent so much time coaching us, giving feedback, and making sure we were ready for anything."
Aida and Audrey encourage other students to explore the opportunities through the DECA class and club, “Go for it! Even if you think you do not want to enter a business-related field in the future, the skills you gain, such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving, are invaluable. DECA pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way, and you won’t regret being part of it.”