Senior Erika Drollinger didn’t know what to expect when she flew to Atlanta for the International Career Development Conference. Drollinger finished third in Restaurant and Food Service Marketing, out of 150 participants.

“You never know how others will do. I got fourth last year and really wanted to place this year. Every step of the way I wondered what was going to happen,” Drollinger said. “It felt really good [to place third]. I think I made our chapter and my family proud.”

Thirteen Wenatchee High School DECA students competed at ICDC, held on May 3-6, with more than 17,000 students, advisers, business persons, and alumni. DECA is an association of business students that compete at the regional, state, and international level. Students must place in the top four at the area convention, and place in the top seven to participate in ICDC.

Sophomore Kori Martin placed in the top 10 for her Entrepreneurship Promotion Project. Juniors Miles Letts-Brandt and Wallace O’Donnell participated in a team event, placing in the top 10 in Business Law and Ethics.

Seniors Jacob Busse and Catherine Ross, and sophomores Edan Patterson and Olesya Plukchi finished in the top 20.

Busse competed in the Automotive Services category, Ross competed in the Human Resource Management event, Patterson and Plukchi competed in the Hospitality Services category.

Freshman Vivian Noyd received a high Roleplay score and competed in Quick service Restaurant Management. Senior Carie Graves attended, representing Area 10 as a Washington State DECA Officer.

Garrett and Schneider competed in the Travel and Tourism team category, Jagla competed in the Prepared School Based Enterprise category, and Boese competed in the Prepared Advertising Campaign category, but did not place.

On May 17, DECA will be holding a father-daughter dance in the WHS Commons from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

This is the first year the dance will be held.

The theme is “Beauty and the Geek,” and there will be dancing, face painting, games, and photos by Parsons Photography. Photos start at 6 p.m., at an additional cost.

Tickets are $20 for dad and up to two daughters. Additional tickets for daughters cost $5. This price is for admission, refreshments, and games.

Fathers are encouraged to “go all out,” and treat their daughter to her own corsage, a new dress, and a nice dinner before the dance.

Proceeds from the event will go towards DECA’s general fund.