The DECA California State Career Development Conference (SCDC). DECA is one of the largest high school business competitions in the world. It is an international student organization that prepares high school students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management, through hands-on learning and competitive events. At SCDC, thousands of students from across California came together to compete, attend workshops, and connect with other students interested in business and leadership.
During the conference students competed in events that simulate real business situations. Many competitors participate in role-plays, where they are given a business problem and must quickly develop a solution before presenting it to a judge acting as a company executive. Other events require students to prepare long presentations or written business plans ahead of time, such as creating marketing campaigns, startup proposals, or financial strategies. Judges evaluate students on skills like problem-solving, communication, professionalism, and creativity.
One of the most exciting parts of the conference is the Grand Award Session, where finalists and winners are announced. The room is filled with energy as chapters cheer for their teammates as students walk across the stage to receive medals and glass. The top competitors qualify for the international level of competition (ICDC), which will take place in Atlanta, Georgia this year.
Many winners talked about how much preparation went into their success, such as Arshia Sharda (10), who won second in her event.
“I prepared by doing about 4 practice tests with 100 MCQs and annotating them in my iPad. I also overviewed what I wanted to include in my slides for my written and really dissected my judges feedback from NorCal to fix the gaps in my presentation,” said Sharda.
From Granada, six students placed who will go to compete at Atlanta in April. Ojas Singh (11) in AAM, Krisha Chopra (11) and Kashvi Jain (11) in BMOR, Arshia Sharda (10) in EIP, and Sheehan Krishna (12) with Ananya Garg (11). Beyond the event placers, Sai Penugonda (11) and Ahana Deshpande (11) will be heading to Atlanta as well on behalf of the SBE Retail Operations event for Cafe Ole.
Arshia Sharda speaks about how it felt to place in the top five.
“It felt absolutely surreal to win. After they called third place I felt sure that I had only gotten on stage for top ten by a fluke, but hearing Granada High instead of Granada Hills Charter for second place made my heart jump and my mind blanked in shock before walking forward and getting the glass. I felt very accomplished yet very bewildered,” said Sharda.
Beyond competing, students attend leadership workshops, network with business professionals, and connect with members from different chapters across the state. These experiences help students build confidence and develop skills they can use in college and future careers.
By the end of SCDC, students leave with new experiences and memories from a weekend filled with competition and overall a good time.
