SCHOOLCRAFT, MI — It is often said that the first year of any new program is a "building year," but the students of Schoolcraft Junior-Senior High School clearly had other plans. In its very first year of existence, the Schoolcraft DECA chapter has bypassed the growing pains and headed straight for the record books, culminating in a historic qualification for the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
DECA is a global Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that prepares high school and college students for high-stakes careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. By integrating classroom learning with real-world projects and competitive events, DECA challenges students to develop the leadership and professional skills necessary for the modern workforce.
A Rapid Ascent
The journey began in January when Schoolcraft took 11 students to the District Competition at Western Michigan University. Performing well beyond expectations for a first-year club, the Eagles secured multiple qualifications for the State Competition.
On March 5th, seven standout students traveled to Detroit to test their skills against the best and brightest from across the state of Michigan. Representing the Purple and Gold with distinction were:
Seniors: Parker Rigby and Ace Drewyor
Juniors: Anna Farness and Carina Lego
Sophomores: Sydney Williams, Avery Walsh, and Natalie McDonald
Georgia on Their Minds
The results from the state level were nothing short of spectacular. Schoolcraft is proud to announce that the team of Anna Farness and Carina Lego officially qualified for the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC).
At the end of April, Farness and Lego will fly to Atlanta to represent Schoolcraft on the global stage, competing against students from across the United States and several foreign countries. They will be accompanied by DECA Advisor Rob Wagler and his wife, Tiffany Wagler, who have been instrumental in launching the program this year.
In addition to the competitive team, sophomore Avery Walsh will also be attending the conference to participate in elite leadership seminars. Her involvement is a key part of the district's vision to expand the DECA chapter and mentor new members as the program looks toward the 2026-2027 school year.
Leading the Way
"Talk about an incredible inaugural year," the district shared in a statement. "Our students didn't just participate; they dominated. We are incredibly proud of their work ethic and the professional poise they’ve shown in such a short amount of time."
The success of the DECA program underscores Schoolcraft’s commitment to leading instructional practices and providing students with "state-of-the-art" opportunities to grow into the best versions of themselves.
Congratulations to our DECA trailblazers, and best of luck in Atlanta! Go Eagles!