Tolland High School Business Club Growing and Succeeding

On Wednesday evening, the Board of Education got an update from Tolland High School business teacher Lynne Bridge on the status of DECA – the school’s new business club.

The Tolland DECA chapter, which has 36 students involved, joined 5,000 chapters and 185,000 high school students around the world.

DECA is committed to preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA members can begin their participation in the high school division as early as ninth grade and continue through their college years.

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The students incorporate their newly acquired business skills into real life scenarios through role-plays, community-based interaction, and statewide competitions.

Bridge, who is in her second year at Tolland High School, said that the goal was to have 12 students in the club, but within two months, 35 students had joined. She said it was very exciting but also scary at the same time.

In December, 15 students attended their first competitive event at the University of New Haven – DECA Day.

The Tolland students thought they were just going to the event to see what it was all about, to learn what they had gotten into, and to learn how to compete. Bridge said that as they got off the bus, they were told they would be competing.

Four teams came home winners – placing first, second, or third in their categories.

“We have great kids, they’re very well spoken, they’re good at meeting people and introducing themselves, and getting their thoughts across,” Bridge said.

After that, the students entered their first statewide competition. With 33 high schools and over 1,000 students competing, in 40 different events, Tolland High School came home with 10 state finalists, and six have been invited to compete at the International DECA Competition in Anaheim, CA next month.

At the International Competition, the students can expect to compete against 14,000 high school students from around the world in a variety of business oriented events, as well as be exposed to over 1,000 corporate mentors.

“We were very happily surprised,” Bridge said. “These kids were amazing. They did a phenomenal job in their first time out.”

She added that this is a huge deal and a big compliment to the students and to all the work they’ve put in.

“They are basically tested on not only their knowledge, but in their ability to get up, give a presentation, and to be able to look at a specific case study, analyze the case study, and act as consultant to the team of judges. The judges are university professors and CEOs of companies. These are people that really know what they’re doing.”

In the statewide event, Chance Foster placed second in the sports and entertainment marketing competition, and Tyson Bridge and Ray Tetreault placed third in the same category. Kelsey Lewis and Shaheer Hassan placed fifth in the business law and ethics category, and Hunter Muhlhauser placed fifth in quick serve restaurant management.

These students will be competing in Anaheim.

Jake Fenner and Mike Zimmerman competed in sports and entertainment marketing, Mackenzie Dunham competed in principles of business management, and Matt Holyst competed in principles of marketing.

These students were finalists but will not be competing in Anaheim.

In addition to these competitions, this club has been actively involving the community in their quest for business knowledge and experience. In December, members hosted the first annual Business Alumni Day, inviting back several THS alumni who are currently business majors in college.

DECA members enjoyed listening to their “peers” and discovering what it takes to succeed at the college level. Representatives from Johnson and Wales University have been actively mentoring competing students and Men’s Wearhouse will soon be demonstrating the importance of appropriate business attire and how to “dress for success.”

In addition, DECA members are committed to fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and other charities.