By Joaquin Aguilar-Flores, KFCS
Klamath Union High School can be can remembered for many things but one thing is certain, it will forever be known as one of the top Distributive Education Clubs of America schools in all of Oregon.
For the fifth consecutive year, Klamath Union DECA was named State Career Development Conference Oregon DECA Chapter of the Year. In total, 29 KU DECA members traveled to Portland to participate in the state competition Feb. 12 and Feb. 13.
As of now, seven students have qualified for the DECA International Career Development Conference in April, and there is potential for more Klamath Union students to qualify.
Countless Pelicans came away with first-place honors, or a noteworthy recognition. Lina Stanfield and Cassidy Bogatay earned first place in their sales project category, while Brooke Nelson and Alyse Perez were selected with the top honor in marketing management team decision making.
“Being on the stage in front of 1,000 people, it gives you a feeling of no other. Seeing the team, your own chapter, they are just excited for you,” Bogatay said. “As you walk off the stage, our teachers are giving us hugs; it is a feeling of pure joy.”
It was also a chance for younger Pelicans to share some of the glory. Sophomore Eleanor Rodriguez, in her first year with the program, took first in the quick serve restaurant management series. In her second year with DECA, sophomore Aeris Saindon placed first in the restaurant and food service management series.
Senior Hali Ganong also had a top honor in the category of school-based enterprise gold level recertified for The Pel Shack.
Klamath Union DECA was in familiar territory while at the state competition, except for one minor detail, the change of its advisor. Longtime DECA lead at Klamath Union, Nat Ellis, retired as a teacher last year and new advisor, Joel McPherson, came on board.
This year’s Klamath Union DECA program was in limbo as well, with 22 of 29 students being in their first year with the program. Even the group’s most experienced members were on the edge of their seats as third and second place finishers were named before the winners.
“Knowing you are either going to win it or lose it all, that was a scary feeling. State is more than a competition but a chance to grow bonds,” Stanfield said. “DECA teaches how to communicate and think on your toes. DECA exercises something sports or classes in general do not teach you. Many of our classmates did not go to districts; it was their very first competition. I saw their determination … there afterschool, every day, during lunch to get higher scores,”
Perez and Nelson were under the same pressure, a year removed from competing in the national competition. This year is the duo’s third straight year competing with each other.
“We know what it is like to get on stage; we have done it every year but having gotten there twice, especially our senior, was just incredible and have one last amazing DECA experience together,” Perez said.
Klamath Union students needed to be stealth, creative and spontaneous. Students were judged based on a roleplay, essentially to come away with the best solution based off the scenario given. During an individual roleplay, they are given 10 minutes of preparation, while a team is given 30 minutes.
The judge checks off if a student executed all their performance indicators, which are the different business elements needed in a presentation in order to receive the highest score.
Competition was fierce as the event with the most competitors had over 70 people. Klamath Union students knew Tuesday night if they made it to nationals.
The Oregon Chapter of the Year award is a compilation of six different projects done throughout the year, including community service campaigns, summed up in a 40-page portfolio and given to judges.
KU DECA included work and experiences such as a dog food drive, playing bingo at Crystal Terrace, a chapter cornhole tournament and holiday party, competing in the Oregon Tech district competition this past fall and participation in a leadership conference at Phoenix High School.
A familiar face
Ellis was present at the state competition and earned the Oregon DECA Honorary Life Member award. He has devoted over 30 years of service to the program.
“Everyone knew him as the DECA guy of Southern Oregon,” Perez said. “As he said, he was on the backburner to give Mr. McPherson the reigns; Mr. McPherson was the main guy in making the success and Mr. Ellis had a presence because you cannot cave that man away from KU DECA.”
Individual Student Awards (earned trophies and qualified for Nationals):
· Lina Stanfield & Cassidy Bogatay, 1st in Sales Project
· Brooke Nelson & Alyse Perez, 1st in Marketing Management Team Decision Making
· Eleanor Rodriguez, 1st in Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series
· Aeris Saindon, 1st in Restaurant and Food Service Management Series
· Cassidy Bogatay, 2nd in Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series
· Brooke Nelson & Alyse Perez, 2nd in Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making
· Lina Stanfield, 3rd in Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series
And More Awards:
· Brooke Nelson, 2nd overall in Marketing exam
· Hali Ganong, School Based Enterprise Gold-level recertified for The Pel Shack (qualified for Nationals)
Top 10 Finalists (earned medals and may still qualify for Nationals):
· Jacob Martin, 4th in Hotel and Lodging Management Series
· Jacob Martin & Carter Harmon, 7th in Travel and Tourism Marketing Team Decision Making
Top 20 Overall:
· Hope Hartley, 13th in Automotive Services Marketing Series
· Jayla Warner, 14th in Retail Merchandising Series
· Bohdan Fedorchak, 14th in Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series
· Gabe Glover, 16th in Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series
Chapter Awards:
· 2024 Chapter of the Year (5th consecutive year!)
· Honorary Life Member, Nat Ellis
· Five Years of Service as an Advisor, Rhiannon Kerr
· 3rd Largest Chapter Membership
· Largest Professional Membership
· Thrive Level Chapter Campaign
· Thrive Level Membership
