Student Success
DECA Chapter Wins International Awards
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 16, 2025) – Wake Tech's Collegiate DECA students are international champions!
DECA is a student-led organization focused on preparing emerging leaders in the fields of marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
Aidan Keyes, a Business Administration student, brought home a first-place award, or "DECA Glass," from the recent Collegiate DECA International Career and Development Conference held in San Francisco. Keyes won in the Restaurant & Food Service Management individual event, which included a written test and practical application of a scenario through role play and presentation skills.
"I've been a part of DECA for my entire college career and even participated in high school, and I never expected to place first on the international stage," Keyes said.
In addition to Keyes, Noor-ul-aien and Harshita Sahu each received medals for winning fifth place in the Event Planning category.
In all, nine Wake Tech students competed in a variety individual and team events in the areas of business management, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and tourism, and marketing. During the three-day conference, students also attended professional development workshops and networked with students from other chapters worldwide.
Other Wake Tech students who competed are:
- Fiorella "Elle" Ruiz and Sehyun Park - Business Ethics
- Justin Gonzalez Padilla - Corporate Finance
- Christelle Espinosa - Fashion Merchandising and Marketing
- Malexis Barinotto - Human Resource Management
- Jose Briones Avila - Travel and Tourism
Keyes, who helped establish Wake Tech's DECA chapter two years ago, said the organization has made him a more confident and prepared leader.
"DECA has been a great way to learn new skills, grow as an individual as well as a team, and make new friends across the country," he said. "I founded the Wake Tech DECA chapter because I loved to compete. But over time, I came to also love helping students who otherwise would never have the chance to attend something like a DECA conference."
Dr. Jessica Kelley, assistant professor Geology, and Dr. Andras Paul, assistant professor of Mathematics, are the club's advisors.
