Passing pencils around the bus on Tuesday, Jan. 12,  22 DECA students prepared for their final competition before state which took place at Leavenworth High School.

Before DECA competitions, students practice at school to get ready for their events.

“To prepare for DECA competitions, we take practice tests that are available on the DECA website and sometimes even hold work nights where we practice both the role-play and testing portion of the events,” senior Megan Feuerborn, who competed in Business Law and Ethics said.

Although they practice, junior Ethan Hansen, who competed in Personal Financial Literacy, was originally anxious before competing.

“I was really nervous for the first competition, but I found out I got second place at that. I was like, ‘Oh, this isn’t as hard as it seems,’ so last competition I wasn’t nervous at all,” Hansen said.

By the Leavenworth competition on Jan 22, Hansen learned to ignore any his apprehension.

“Being nervous wouldn’t help me, so I didn’t worry about it at all and went in [for the Leavenworth competition] and did the best I could, which I think is better, makes it more enjoyable,” Hansen said.

Feuerborn said DECA as a whole became better competitors between their first competition and their final competition in Leavenworth.  

“At each competition we learn more about how DECA works and how to be more competitive in our events,” Feuerborn said. “It’s really a ‘practice makes perfect’ kind of deal. The more we compete, the better we become at competing.”

Through DECA, Hansen said he’s gained more skills than the average business student.

“You can take a business class anywhere and that will teach you on paper all these business techniques, but DECA really provides a tangible event and the skills that aren’t taught in those business courses: social skills, how to present yourself and how to get ideas across in a manner that reflects nicely upon you,” Hansen said.

Feuerborn agrees that DECA has been beneficial for her.

“It just gives you as close to real-world experience as you’re able to get as a high schooler,” Feuerborn said. “I think it makes you so much more competitive as a business student if you have DECA on your resume.”

DECA will compete next at state on Sunday, March 6 through Tuesday, March 8.