This weekend, 26 members of DECA competed, along with other contestants, in the District 5 competition hosted by Cleburne High School. Twenty-five McNeil competitors advanced to the State level.

In the competition, students could compete in various areas of the business field such as Principles of Business Administration, Team Decision Making, Business Operations Research, and Online Events. Besides the online events, all of the events require timed presentations.

“I spent almost three full days writing my paper,” senior Ashlie Meckly said. “Then I spent another 10 hours making my poster board and another five hours making my PowerPoint. It took at least an additional five hours practicing.”

Even so, all of that hard work paid off.

“When the announcer called my name, it was the most amazing feeling,” Meckly said. “Our DECA chapter is so happy and proud of our competitors.”

These competitions help prepare students for future career possibilities, as well as gaining experience in the business world.

“At first I had no idea what the competition was about,” sophomore Kathleen Hu said. “I didn’t even know my topic. My group just started studying about a week before the event. And we thought we didn’t get in. We were really proud and relieved after we finished.”