Raymore-Peculiar High School DECA members showcased their outstanding skills and knowledge at the DECA District 3 Career Development Conference on February 11, 2025, at UMKC. Competitors from schools across the Kansas City metro area gathered to compete in various events focusing on business, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship.
Ray-Pec DECA had an impressive showing, with 29 students earning top placements in a variety of competitive categories. The following students received awards:
Julian Pena Giron – 10th Place, Sports and Entertainment Marketing
Jack Bench – 7th Place, Food Marketing
Will Carver – 7th Place, Business Finance
Tyson Chesnut – 7th Place, Sports and Entertainment Marketing
Jaxson Kalinka – 7th Place, Financial Consulting
Andrew Carter and Chaz Eagan – 6th Place, Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making
Cora Griffith and Claire Humke – 6th Place, Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making
Owen Lawson – 6th Place, Financial Consulting
Lilith Sweet and Ariana Williams – 6th Place, Start-up Business Plan
Kennedy Lacroix and Lia Solar – 5th Place, Hospitality Services Team Decision Making
EJ Parker – 5th Place, Principles of Finance
Addison Jarman and Olivia McVay – 4th Place, Hospitality Services Team Decision Making
The following students placed highly and will advance to the State Career Development Conference:
Isabel Blakely – 1st Place, Retail Merchandising
Dinah Hodgson – 1st Place, Apparel and Accessories Marketing
Jacob Powell – 2nd Place, Retail Merchandising
Clara Otta and Lance Redick – 2nd Place, Integrated Marketing Campaign (Product)
Owen Shellhorn and Mack Stewart – 3rd Place, Integrated Marketing Campaign (Event)
Luke Lesmeister – 3rd Place, Financial Consulting
Olivia McVay – 3rd Place, Community Giving
Clara Otta – 3rd Place, Marketing Communications
Ashlen Eberhart and Sophia Hinken – 3rd Place, Sales Project
Logan Balentine and Noella Green – 4th Place, Marketing Management Team Decision Making
Addison Jarman – 4th Place, Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling
These students will now compete at the DECA State Career Development Conference, taking place March 23-25, 2025, at Crown Center in Kansas City. At the event, they will showcase their talents against other DECA members from across Missouri.
DECA is an international organization that equips emerging leaders and entrepreneurs with skills in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Ray-Pec DECA continues to empower students by providing hands-on experiences that help develop their business knowledge and leadership abilities.
For more information on Ray-Pec DECA’s achievements or upcoming events, please contact Amanda Kilgore at amanda.kilgore@raypec.org or Kim Schrader at kimberly.schrader@raypec.org.