Students from Nansemond River High School’s DECA organization competed and won at the Virginia State Leadership Conference, which was held recently in Virginia Beach.

Samarah Derry, Cydney Folsom, and Tala Hughes competed in the Entrepreneurship Independent Business Plan Event and created an organic food truck business, and they were 3rd Place Overall Winners in the state. They also each received a Certificate of Achievement.

Erika Freeman competed in the Personal Financial Literacy Event. She also received a Certificate of Achievement.

Tiecura Hill and Kiely Nolan competed in the Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making Event and attended the Student Leadership Development Academy.

Catherine Freeman and Kendall Chillous competed in the Marketing Communications Team Decision Making Event and attended the Student Leadership development Academy.

Tiecura Hill served as the Voting Delegate and went to the Student Leadership Development Academy.

Nansemond River High School DECA received the Preferred Award Trophy for submitting the DECA Program of Work Annual Report.

Tala Hughes received a Plaque for serving as DECA’s District 21 Co-President.

S. Michele Duncan received a DECA Paperweight for serving as DECA’s District 21 Co-Advisor.

“The DECA members had a great experience at the DECA State Conference and had an opportunity to network with students from all over the entire state of Virginia,” a press release stated.

The DECA members will compete at the International Career Development Conference in Nashville, Tenn., in April. The DECA members are in need of sponsors for this level of competition. All donations are tax deductible. Please contact the DECA advisors at 923-4101 for further information. The DECA Advisors are Kyle Lippiatt and S. Michele Duncan.