Three students from H. H Dow High School joined almost 600 Michigan marketing students from 77 high schools and career centers to represent the state at DECA’s annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC) on April 28, 2012, in Salt Lake City, UT. Nicole Fisher, Keenan Hammer and Jack Flanagan were selected as the best marketing students out of over 6,600 Michigan DECA members. The Michigan delegation competed against 15,000 DECA members from all 50 states and Guam, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Germany, China and Korea for recognition and over $300,000 in stocks, cash and scholarships.

More than 1,500 business professionals representing both domestic and international corporations served as judges in 42 competitive areas. These professionals interacted one-on-one with the students and determined who amongst them possessed the skills necessary to become leaders of their industry.

Only the top 3% out of the 15,000 students competing were chosen and recognized as the best of the best with scholarships and trophies. In addition to the conference, some had the opportunity to meet with vendors and discuss everything from business trends to internship and scholarship opportunities. Student leaders from each state interviewed and elected students campaigning for one of five national offices. Nicole Fisher received recognition for placing in the top ten in her event, Sports and Entertainment.

DECA is the only international student organization operating through schools to attract young people to careers in marketing, merchandising, management and entrepreneurship. Its purposes are to teach occupational proficiency and to promote understanding and appreciation for the responsibilities of citizenship in our free, competitive enterprise system.