Twenty-seven West Islip High School students in DECA (Distributive Education Club of America) participated in the Suffolk County Regional Competition held recently at Suffolk Community College, joining over 1,600 other students from around the county. Two students won First Place in their competitive events: Frank Houston in Business and Marketing Law and Mike Stavrakos in Decision Making Marketing.

Individual trophy winners were Anthony Merrill, Careers & Finance; Diana Rivera, Decision Making Human Resources; Dani Mullin, Advertising Layout; John Carabello, Sales Demonstration; and Elena Filipova, Nick Rendino and Clinton Handelson, Marketing Vocabulary.

Team trophy winners included Allison Pelle and Kelly McLaughlin, who won First Place in Sports & Entertainment Marketing Decision Making. They beat out 48 other teams to win big in the largest event of the competition.

Honorable Mentions went to Nick Carabello, Quick Serve Restaurant; Julie Oktayer, Marketing Management; Burin Poomchonghko, Marketing Math; and Collin Verron and Mike Zarrilli, Travel & Tourism Decision Making.

The students are advancing to the 47th annual New York State Career Conference being held March 8-10 in Rochester. DECA members learn and develop important values such as civic consciousness, social intelligence, leadership development, and vocational understanding. Membership also helps students meet the rigorous state learning standards, both in content and performance, explain West Islip DECA Chapter Advisors Patricia Morgigno and Sue Huscilowitc.