DECA dominates regionals, sets sights high for state DECA President Daniel Applebaum looks over a review book with Coach Michael Patterson in preparation for the state competition. Applebaum is one of 47 H-F students who will compete at State from March 5-7. - Photo by Marsella Lopez Wednesday, February 25, 2009 By Maximilian McCann, News Writer Advertising Senior DECA member Cody Albano has high expectations for State this year.      “First place all the way,” Albano said.  “Even if I don’t win I’m still going up on stage and taking the trophy.”    Albano is one of the 47 members from H-F competing in the state DECA competition this year, despite a rule that allows only 40 members from one team to compete.    “The restriction was put in place because schools from the North Suburbs were bringing over 60 students and doing extremely well at the state competition.  After talking with the state adviser and asking him to not exclude students who belong down at the competition, he reconsidered and allowed me to bring them,” DECA coach Michael Patterson said.    Each of the 47 qualifiers finished in the top three in their events during the regional competition.  Sixty total students placed in the top five throughout the 15 events.    “All of the DECA competitors worked very hard to be successful at regionals.  All of my students who took first through third deserved to go to the State competition; however, with a restriction of 40 students it would’ve meant that we would have had to leave legitimate state qualifiers at home,” Patterson said.         Seniors Albano, Daniel Applebaum, and David Gilbert finished fifth out of 537 teams and 1590 competitors in the DECA Virtual Business Challenge from Jan. 5 to 30.  The competition simulated managing a retail store by having teams control prices, purchasing and marketing.      “You basically run a grocery store and try to get the highest profits,” DECA president Applebaum said.    Placing fifth overall and second in the Midwest Region advanced the group to Nationals in Anaheim, California, April 28 to May 2.    “After qualifying for Nationals we got the monkey off our back,” Albano said.  “It’s going to be interesting to compete against the best in the world.”    In order for more Vikings to qualify for nationals, they will have to place in the top three in their event at State.  Patterson, in his fourth year as DECA sponsor, has high expectations for the first team whose members he coached up from freshmen to seniors.    “I get to see what four years of my investment with these kids can do.  I expect them to be the best yet,” Patterson said.    H-F’s DECA team has been the most successful team in the area, sending far more students than any other school in the suburbs.  Their success, according to Patterson, comes down to the “knack for business” that the team members have.    “It’s a lot of natural intellect, and I feel like we study more than other schools,” Applebaum said.

Back to the articles list