Sixteen Meridian World School students made their mark at the Texas DECA Career Development Conference (CDC) held in Dallas from March 6–8. Competing against a massive field of 6,716 students from schools across Texas, Meridian’s DECA team walked away with impressive results, including one state finalist and four national qualifiers who will advance to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando this spring.
Months of Preparation Pay Off
The students have been preparing since the beginning of the school year, meeting once a week on Mondays in Mr. Holman’s classroom after school. Their dedication and hard work were evident as they competed in various business-related events, showcasing their skills in public speaking, strategic thinking, and business acumen.
Award-Winning Performances
Of the 16 Meridian participants, five students earned recognition at the state level:
- Rithika – State Finalist in Principles of Marketing
- Cylee and Aarush – National Qualifiers in Business Services
- Krish and Vivaan – National Qualifiers in Travel and Tourism
These four national qualifiers have earned the chance to compete at ICDC in Orlando.
High Energy and Competitive Spirit
The Texas CDC is known for its intense and dynamic atmosphere. Competitors face real-world business scenarios where they must quickly assess a problem and present solutions to a panel of judges made up of business professionals. Events cover a wide range of fields, including business management and administration, marketing, finance, hospitality and tourism, and entrepreneurship.
The Rise of DECA at Meridian
DECA has grown significantly at Meridian over the past two years, now boasting around 50 active members. Holman credits the program’s success to the students’ motivation and commitment.
“Our success comes down to the students executing the ideas,” Holman said. “I’m like the CEO, but they’re the ones doing the heavy lifting.”
