Wenatchee High School juniors Edan Patterson and Olesya Plukchi took first place in Hospitality Services Team to lead the way for the WHS DECA team at International Conference in Orlando.

“Honestly, I was never expecting first. My goal was to make the top 10 in my event. Once Olesya and I did that, I felt really happy that I had reached my goal. When they called first place, I screamed. It felt amazing and unreal at the same time,” Patterson said.

There were 10 Wenatchee DECA students who competed against 160 teams in their event. WHS finished in fourth place out of the Washington schools in attendance.

WHS student junior Austin Boese took top 10 in the Automotive Services event. WHS DECA students junior Chase Davidson took top 20 in business services, junior Abby Davison took top 20 in Food Marketing, and sophomore Vivian Noyd took top 20 in Entrepreneurship Franchising.

“I’m pretty happy especially competing in automotive. It’s my first time doing it. It’s not really my forte, I want to have fun with it, and I didn’t think I’d make it ICDC,” Boese said.

“I was very excited and it’s been a goal of mine to place well in nationals. I was nervous to walk in the awards ceremony because I didn’t think my first presentation went well, and when they called my name I was very happy,” Noyd said.

WHS DECA student senior Devyn Blakney was also recognized during the award ceremony for earning a high role-play score in Apparel & Accessories Marketing.

“It was really exciting. I’m proud of myself because this is my first year of doing DECA. I learned a lot. I got to connect with a lot of people and competing against people all over the world,” Blakney said.

The results:

1st – Edan Patterson & Olesya Plukchi — Hospitality Services Team

• Top 10 – Austin Boese — Automotive Services
• Top 20 – Chase Davidson — Business Services
• Top 20 – Abby Davison — Food Marketing
• Top 20 – Vivian Noyd — Entrepreneurship Franchising

Also competing were:

• Kori Martin — Human Resource Management
• Israel Sixto — Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan
• Megan Jay — Principles of Hospitality & Tourism

Martin also took over as Washington DECA State President at the International conference.