On Dec. 12, Liberty DECA students headed to South County Mall to compete in a district competition. After much preparation, an early morning, and a hypnotist show, the results came back.

“LHS DECA members walked in the competition with confidence and poise,” DECA sponsor Ms. Taylor said. “They knew that practice and work they have done all year was about to be put to test. We could not be more proud of the hard work and dedication that each student has exhibited throughout the year.”

More than half of DECA members are new to the club this year and have never competed before.

These students will now take on the state competition located in Kansas City, during spring break for a chance to advance to the International Competition in Nashville, TN.

“Some of the events that our students qualified in had over 20 competitors, with only the top four qualifying for state,” Taylor said. “One of the most rewarding moments during the competition was during awards hearing Wentzville Liberty being called up on stage in so many events. LHS has established a new record for state competitors. Our goal is to continue working hard for state competition to bring some International qualifiers back to LHS.”

The students who qualified for State include:

1st Place – Community Awareness Project – Mitchell Eckardt and Charles Schraudenbach

1st Place – Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research – Alexis Kessler & Nila Sasi

1st Place – Financial Services Team Decision Making – Lexi Bentley and Aimee Weber

2nd Place – Business Services Operations Research – Kate Wilson and Jenna McVey

2nd Place – Hotel and Lodging Management – Avery Thomas

2nd Place Principles of Finance – Lydia Cruz

2nd Place Principles of Hospitality & Tourism – TJ Irlmeier

3rd Place – Business Finance – Carter Kussman

4th Place – Innovation Plan – Ethan Bartek and Brenden McKeage

4th Place – Hospitality Services Team Decision Making – Mya Suftko and Olivia Guffey (no picture at swim conference).

4th Place – Sports Entertainment Marketing Series – Madison Pegg

4th Place – Marketing Communication Series – Brenden McKeage

5th Place Accounting Applications – Nathan Rhodes

6th Place Accounting Applications – Emily Brockmann

7th Place Automotive Services Marketing Series – Chris Randolph

7th Place Business Finance Series – Reese Outman