A total of 385 students from 20 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high schools and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall were recognized at the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference held Feb. 27-March 1 in Virginia Beach. FCPS students placed first in 17 events, and 285 students earned the right to attend the DECA International Career Development Conference, scheduled for April 25-28 in Orlando.
Two state officers were elected from FCPS: Alexandra Patrick of Fairfax High School was elected secretary; and Claire Heiden of Marshall High School was elected Region 2 vice president.
First place winners from FCPS are:
*Tyler Buchholz and Jackson Romero of South County High School, Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making.
*Alison Willebeek-Lemair, Gavin Brown, and Virginia Bulger of South Lakes High School, Business Services Operations Research.
*Cameron Lane of South County High School, Business Services Marketing.
*Gillian McIntyre and Isabelle Sexton of Marshall High School, Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making.
*Alana Clark of Robinson Secondary School, Entrepreneurship Participating Event-Franchise.
*Matt Godin of Oakton High School, Financial Consulting Event.
*Jordan Beeker and Nilaani Kayamboo of Chantilly High School, Fashion Merchandising Promotion Project.
*Conor Orlando, Erika Rodgers, and Harlee Pattarozzi of Fairfax High School, Finance Operations Research.
*Lithe Abushaikha of Marshall High School, Human Resource Management.
*Michael Deleon and Andrew Deleon of Chantilly High School, Hospitality Services Team Decision Making.
*Anya Heijst and Makenzie Brooks of Oakton High School, Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research Event.
*Brandon White and Ethan Moran of Lake Braddock Secondary School, International Business Plan.
*Ahmed Mohamed and Tg Mussie of Edison High School, Marketing Communications Team Decision Making.
*Noah Daniel of Marshall High School, Principles of Business Management and Operations.
*Brenda Henriquez of Marshall High School, Principles of Hospitality and Tourism.
*Olivia McAuliffe of McLean High School, Principles of Marketing.
*Anika Rahman and Lindsey Grooms of South County High School, Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making.