When it is about a student’s turn to begin working in their scenario, the competitors reported to the ‘bubble.’ The bubble was usually home to a basketball court and sport facilities for UC Clermont. However once an orange tarp was put down to cover the flooring, it became the perfect space to host a DECA district competition.

Junior Tyler Miller works on his role play in the hotel and lodging event. Unlike the previous competition, there is no final round of role plays for students to compete in. This is Miller’s only chance to ace his role-play and secure himself a spot at state.

Juniors Raymond Berling and Julia Diersing work on their respective role plays. Once they take a seat they will have either eight or ten minutes to solve their problem, depending on what event they are in. They will then directly go to their presentation where the time is again regulated by the event they are competing in.

Once time is up to work on solving their scenario, competitors must present their answer to a panel of judges. Presenting a role play requires professional skills that many students don’t learn during their high school years. Marketing students learn effective communication skills and develop their professional capabilities.

After the stress of competition wore off, the students went to the student center to hang out. Juniors Garrett Cambre, Gwen Constand and Samuel Meyers entertain themselves while eating lunch. The students spent hours there playing pool, ping-pong or doing homework.

Senior Johnathan Lucken rests while waiting for the awards ceremony to begin. Awards were presented by a state officer at both the individual and team ceremonies. Lucken, teamed up with his twin brother Adam Lucken, placed first in the sports and entertainment team event.

Juniors Jennifer Reis and Alison Richter receive their DECA diamonds and accept their spot at state. The Sycamore DECA chapter is sending the most students to state than any other chapter in the area. The next closest number came from Indian Hill.

If competitors place in the top eight in individuals and top four in teams, they will have the chance to go to the state competition. If they advance from state, the students will go to nationals in Orlando Florida. At both state and nationals competition lasts two to five days so students will stay in a hotel filled with other DECA members.

Now that competition has ended, students advancing to state are working to advance their knowledge in their events. They practice by taking tests and doing practice role-plays. Coach Mark Steedly often invites local business professionals and past students to come and judge students to help prepare them for competition.