A handful of local students established themselves as rising stars through DECA’s Georgia Only Testing Event. Representing 88 chapters around the state, over 1,780 students participated in Buying & Merchandising, Advertising, and Selling exams, and three Whitewater and one Sandy Creek student placed in the top 5.

In Buying & Merchandising, Whitewater’s Julianne York placed 2nd in the state, and Seth Eaton placed 4th. In selling, Anthony VanHeyningen placed 4th in the state.

Sandy Creek High’s Caleb Adams placed 4th in Advertising Services.

Each of the top 10 finishers earned an Academy Slot to the 2022 DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta and will be recognized on stage at the State Career Development Conference in January.

DECA focuses on preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management with guiding principles focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership, and community service.