Mayville State University Collegiate DECA students participated in the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, Calif. April 19-24. The annual conference provides the opportunity for students to compete against others from all over the world in business-specific events. MSU students had to qualify for the Anaheim conference at the state competition held in Fargo, N.D. this past February.
As a team, the Mayville State University chapter received the Community Service Award, which is designed to recognize Collegiate DECA chapters for civic activities performed on campus and in their communities. Maddie Gallardo was recognized individually for her contributions to the state of North Dakota and as a North Dakota Collegiate DECA vice president with the outstanding state leadership ribbon.
The MSU team received a chapter leadership award, and all 15 Mayville State students received individual leadership recognition on the stage at the Anaheim Hilton ballroom during the Leadership Passport Award ceremony. The Collegiate DECA Leadership Passport program encouraged local chapters and individual members to plan activities and participate in events that enhance the experiences of members. The Leadership Passport rewards action taken by members and chapters that build personal and professional skill sets focused around the organization’s four attributes and values: competence, innovation, integrity, and teamwork. As part of the conference, students also participated in various career academies in which they had the opportunity to learn from business professionals in many different industries.
Results of the competitions are as follows:
- Financial Statement Analysis: David Dukart, Killdeer, N.D., and Gabe Salander, Larimore, N.D. – Top 10 Finalist;
- Entrepreneurship - Starting a Business: Anthony Stockfish, Murrieta, Calif. – Top 10 Finalist;
- Entrepreneurship - Growing a Business: Maddie Gallardo, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and Orson Gallardo, Tegucigalpa, Honduras;
- Business Research: Samantha Carlin, Hallock, Minn., Rhonda Hodges, Mayville, N.D., and Jordan Johnson, Hatton, N.D. – Award of Excellence (Honorable Mention); and
- Accounting: Jacob Pladson, Hatton, N.D., Award of Excellence (Honorable Mention).
Collegiate DECA’s overlying mission is to “prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.” MSU Collegiate DECA is open to students in all majors. Students spend many hours fund-raising, but also receive generous support from the Larson leadership Program and the “After Hours” social events organized by the Division of Business.
Not only did the Mayvlle State group win awards at the international conference while in California, they helped to set a Guinness World Record. They attended the Angels versus the Blue Jays Major League baseball game on April 22. The 40,176 fans in attendance set a Guinness World Record by being the largest gathering of people wearing capes at one time. Red superhero capes were distributed to fans prior to the game, though the official count didn’t take place until the fifth inning.
Photo caption:
These members of the Collegiate DECA team represented Mayville State at the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, Calif. April 19-24.
Back Row (l-r): Faculty advisor Dustin Olson; Ben Myszkowski, Hatton, N.D.; Adam Overmoe, Mayville, N.D.; Jace Pederson, Hatton, N.D.; Gabe Salander, Larimore, N.D.; Alicia Nopola, Silver Bay, Minn.; Donte Stevens, Opa Locka, Fla.; Nolan Handley, Kelowna, BC Canada; Jordan Johnson, Hatton, N.D.; Sammy Carlin, Hallock, Minn.; and faculty advisor Rob Johnston.
Front Row (l-r): Jacob Pladson, Hatton, N.D.; David Dukart, Killdeer, N.D.; Rhonda Hodges, Mayville, N.D.; Orson Gallardo, Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Anthony Stockfish, Murrieta, Calif.; Maddie Gallardo, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Faculty advisor Donna Gutschmidt is not pictured.