For the first time ever, Braintree High School’s DECA club has qualified for the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC), which is a huge accomplishment for the program.
This is especially meaningful for members like Evan Ung, who is in his first year in DECA.
“This is my first year in DECA, and being an inter-nationals qualifier feels pretty good,” Evan said. “In the past two or three years, no one has qualified, so being one of the first members to make it feels really rewarding.”
According to Evan, the team put in a lot of time and effort to prepare for competition.
“We spent lots of time studying,” he said. “For me personally, I really tried to work on my creativity in my presentation because I knew participants had to stand out in order to score highly.”
One of the events at DECA competitions is called a role-play, Evan explains that it takes a lot of practice and time.
“A role-play is where you’re given a scenario as an employee or a manager,” Ung explained. “The judge has a problem for you, and you have to solve it while explaining business concepts.”
To get ready, Evan said that he practiced as much as possible.
“I took multiple practice tests and did multiple role-plays,” he said. “I really focused on creativity because I knew that’s how you get to the top.”
With some older members leaving this year, Ung says the club is now looking for new people to join and continue building the program.
“I feel like DECA as a whole is looking for new members,” he said. “We want more people to join and keep making it to internationals.”
Even with the big achievement, Evan remarks his goals for ICDC are simple.
“Of course, it’s to win or place high,” he said. “But I’m also just looking to have a fun time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I want to make the most of it—maybe do some networking and just enjoy DECA.”
With this milestone, Braintree DECA is starting a new chapter—and setting the bar higher for future members.
Talal, a Braintree DECA member recalls an achievement that was not accomplished but remains proud of others who received recognition.
“Even though I didn’t make it, watching my friends achieve what I couldn’t still makes me happy.”
With Talal being a team player, he believes in himself to get better and hopes Braintree DECA wins it all.
“It’s good to see that they are really making history in BHS DECA. I hope to lock in over break and come back next year stronger and better securing that ICDC spot.”
