Nineteen students from all four high schools in Mansfield ISD came together to compete for Ben Barber Career Tech Academy in the 2010 DECA District 7 competition in Dallas earlier this month.

This was the best showing ever for Ben Barber DECA, coming away with 17 awards and two students being elected President and Secretary for the region.

DECA is an International organization for high school and college students in Marketing, Management and Entrepreneurship.

The following students will compete at the 2010 Texas DECA State Career Development Conference February 19-21 in Ft. Worth:

Ana Garza – Passed State Officer Test and will be running for State Secretary (Mansfield)

Kelli McQuesten – Elected District 7 DECA President (Legacy)

Maliz Mahop – Elected District 7 Secretary (Timberview)

Washima Huq – Interview Event (Summit)

Washima Huq – Entrepreneurship Independent (Summit)

Ana Garza – Business Law & Ethics (Mansfield)

Kelli McQuesten – Business Law & Ethics (Legacy)

Derrick Odom – Principles of Hospitality & Tourism (Mansfield)

Keondra Johnson – Principles of Hospitality & Tourism (Summit)

Maliz Mahop – Apparel and Accessories (Timberview)

Brian "Biz" Sanders – Technical Sales (Mansfield)

Matt Vatthauer – Marketing Management (Legacy)

Afua Asiana – Marketing Management (Timberview)

Charles Matthews – Accounting (Mansfield)

Corinna Fulton – Restaurant Management (Legacy)

Jordan Robinson – Internet Marketing (Timberview)

Stephanie Ahwireng – Entrepreneurship Written (Timberview)

David Justin Safar – Automotive Services Marketing (Legacy)

Madison Simpson – Food Marketing (Summit)

Anjola Coker – Sports and Entertainment Marketing (Mansfield)

Additionally, the BBCTA DECA Chapter was recognized for their contribution to the Canned Food Drive. (A special thanks go to all Ben Barber CTA teachers who participated.)

Advisors: Cathy Dunn Slagle, Mark Roquemore and Mike Asato

About DECA

Over 185,000 high school students in 5,000 chapters, located in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Guam benefit from the unparalleled network and curriculum–enhancing programs DECA provides for those with an interest in marketing, management and entrepreneurship.

DECA helps students to develop skills for successful business careers, build self–esteem, experience leadership and practice community service. DECA members create friendships with like–minded people from all over the world at career and leadership conferences and build resumes that move them to the top of the job and college application list. Source: http://www.deca.org/hsd.html