Members of the Shadow Ridge DECA chapter recently traveled to the Alexis Park Hotel in Las Vegas to compete in the State Career Development Conference (SCDC), where students from across Nevada gathered to test their business, marketing, and hospitality skills.
For many competitors, the event was not only an opportunity to showcase their knowledge but also a chance to connect with other students who share similar interests.
Sophomore, Keeley Hoskins, was especially excited about the social aspect of the conference before the trip even began. Having attended the event the previous year, she noticed a difference in how students approached the experience this time.
“Before the conference, I was most excited about the people,” Hoskins said. “The year prior we were all a little more shy and not as open to make friends, so I was excited about this year being a bit different.”
When the group arrived at the Alexis Park Hotel, the excitement quickly became reality as students reunited with competitors they had met before.
“Arriving at the actual conference was really exciting,” Hoskins said. “We saw familiar faces which was not just surprising but made it even more fun.”
Hoskins and fellow DECA member MJ Gregory (sophomore at Shadow Ridge) both competed in hospitality-related events during the conference. Individually, they participated in Hospitality and Tourism Prepared Events and Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling.
The two also teamed up for a Hospitality Service Team Decision Making event, where they worked together to solve a business scenario presented by judges.
Gregory explained that returning to the state conference gave them another chance to improve on their performance from the previous year.
“Before going to the state conference, I was probably the most excited for me and Keeley’s partner event,” Gregory said. “When we first went our freshman year we didn’t do amazing and I was just excited to go back and do it again.”
Preparing for the conference required weeks of practice and dedication. Students worked closely with their DECA advisor, Mrs. McCoy, practicing roleplays and interviews that mirrored the types of situations they might face during competition.
“Leading up to the event, we practiced a lot with Mrs. McCoy,” Hoskins said. “We also had the option to attend DECA meetings after school and practice in class.”
For many competitors, the most difficult part of the event is not necessarily the content, but the presentation itself.
“The most challenging part of the event for me was probably gathering my thoughts before presenting to my judge,” Hoskins said.
Despite the pressure of competition, the conference also provided memorable moments that students will not soon forget.
One of the highlights for many members of the Shadow Ridge chapter was the awards ceremony at the end of the conference.
Gregory recalled a particularly exciting moment when a freshman from their chapter surprised everyone by winning first place in his event.
“The most memorable moment was during the awards ceremony when a freshman named Connor won first place in his event,” Gregory said. “Not only was he the only freshman to get on the podium, he was the only person in our entire chapter to win first.”
The moment was especially meaningful because few people expected the outcome. According to Gregory, Connor never mentioned that he thought he might place, making the victory even more exciting for the team.
Beyond the competition itself, both students believe DECA plays an important role in their academic motivation and future career interests.
For Hoskins, staying involved in the organization helps keep her focused on maintaining strong grades in school.
“For me personally, DECA is such a fun thing, so making sure I still get the privilege of being a part of the group really pushes me to keep my grades up,” Hoskins said.
Looking toward the future, Hoskins hopes to become even more involved in the organization by running for a state leadership position next year.
She also hopes to attend the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) again, which brings top DECA competitors from around the world together.
Both students encourage others to consider joining DECA, emphasizing the opportunities the program provides for personal growth, friendships, and career exploration.
For students interested in business and leadership, the experience can be both educational and rewarding.
As the conference came to an end, the Shadow Ridge DECA members returned home with new memories, stronger friendships, and valuable experience that will help them prepare for future competitions and career goals.
