Students have to take a 100-question multiple-choice test. And, they are put on the spot, being given a real-world marketing or business scenario and a few minutes to consider before presenting a solution to a judge.

Nine Warren County Career Center students brought home individual awards from the competition,.

A student who is not part of a marketing nor business program was Warren County’s top scorer.

Macey Eyler, who is in the autobody collision program, finished sixth in automotive services marketing.

Photo submitted to Times Observer Warren County Career Center student Sarah Tome participates in the fashion show at the DECA state championships in February.

“I am very grateful to have been called to the stage for top six competitors — placing sixth is a huge accomplishment,” Eyler said. “I study autobody collision at the career center, not marketing.”

Both Eyler and DECA advisor Cathie Cummings credit Co-Op program coordinator Bob Smith with helping her make the lead from autobody to automotive marketing.

“She co-ops in collision repair,” Cummings said. “Mr. Smith is the one that trained her.”

“Mr. Smith and I have studied and discussed business and marketing ideas for countless hours in the past three years and I am very proud to have made it this far,” Eyler said.

“I am very thankful for Mr. Smith and Mrs. Cummings for introducing me to DECA because of all the opportunities I have gotten because of it,” she said. “I started DECA not knowing anything about marketing, but over the past three years I have obtained so much marketing and business knowledge thanks to my teachers’ guidance and support.”

Photo submitted to Times Observer Warren County Career Center students who brought home awards from the DECA state championships help Feb. 16 to 18, in Hershey, were (from left): Kendra Chase, Paige Dexter, Macey Eyler, Mitchell Rossman, Christian Green, Sarah Tome, Peyton Gazdak, Kaylee Lundmark, and Jacey Reagle.

The top four students advance to the national competition — “she just missed it,” Cummings said.

That does not diminish her accomplishment. “We’re so proud of her,” Cummings said.

Eyler was near the top in every contest area in her category, bringing home three medals in the mini awards ceremony — presented to the top three scorers on the test and the scenarios.

She likes the pressure of the scenarios.

“One of my favorite parts of DECA is getting the business scenarios only ten short minutes before I have to present my ideas in front of a judge,” she said. “I only have a short amount of time to create solutions for the problems I am given, and it gives me a chance to be creative and think on the spot.”

Joining Eyler in winning medals were:

Mitchell Rossman — Hotel and Lodging Management; Kendra Chase and Paige Dexter — Entrepreneurship team; Peyton Gazdak — Restaurant and Food Service Management; Christian Green — Marketing Communications; and Sarah Tome — Apparel and Accessories Marketing, with two each; and Kaylee Lundmark — Travel and Tourism; Jacey Reagle — Entrepreneurship; with one each.

Tome entered a bonus category — one that no county student had attempted previously. She was one of about 20 students at the competition who joined the modeling contest.

“Sarah placed second in the Modeling Contest,” Cummings said. “She designed her own outfit for the contest.”

Rossman served as the career center’s voting delegate. He cast his ballots for Pennsylvania President and Vice-President.

Eight of the district students who went to the DECA state event will also be going to Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) states, April 11 through 13.

Competing in district and state events “is an extension of what they learn in the classroom,” Cummings said. “They had two workshops they had to go to. It’s a very well-rounded event — it’s not just role-play and test.”

And, the competitions bring a little more focus to professionalism — dressing appropriately, sitting up straight, and other things that are noticed in professional situations.

The students work with members of the career center’s occupational advisory committee to hone their skills. Michelle Betts of Betts Industries and Dave Sherman of the Warren County Visitors Bureau were the OAC members who judged and worked with students on their role-play solutions leading up to states. OAC members Tim Holter of Prudential and John Papalia of Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry were the practice judges for the district level event.

“Our OAC members are always willing to take time out of their day,” Cummings said. “It’s a lot of people working together to prepare them for the real world.”