Post Conference Highlights
Combined Southern & North Atlantic Region Leadership Conference
November 6 – 9, Nashville, Tennessee

Who would have known that a GUY wrote Carrie Underwood's hit song, "Before he Cheats"?!! Those attending the truly unique opening session for the combined Southern & North Atlantic Region Leadership Conference got to hear and sing along with that song being sung by the actual songwriter (see the guy on the far right of the picture below with the officers). Other singer/songwriters that entertained during the session included the woman who has written most of Kelly Pickler's country hits, the man who wrote Garth Brook's "The Dance," and the man (center of picture) who wrote Emerson Drive's hit "Moments" among others. The Acuff Theater in Nashville was filled with energy and melody as the DECA conference goers played background singers to many of the familiar songs they heard there.

After the energizing opening session, DECA members got down to business at the conference which was filled with leadership sessions, including DECA LEADS, the Chapter Management Institute, Dress for Success and Running for Office; advisor workshops designed to make life as a DECA advisor easier; and actually competitive events with some cash prizes. Congratulations to the event winners below:

Entrepreneurship Challenge (held at Belmont University):
4th Place - Jason Phillips & Adriano Rivera (Francis T. Maloney High, CT)
3rd Place - Jordan Boone, Sam McMillen & Harvey Heimbach (Pottstown HS, PA)
2nd Place - Jordan Hill (Lawrance County HS, TN)
2nd Place (tie) - Jennifer Adams & Kelsey Wise (Hamburg, NY)
1st Place - Caitlyn Haffery, Claire Carlson & Morgan Preziosi (Hamburg, NY)

Virtual Business Challenge - Retail
3rd Place - John Boyd, James Owen & Josh Patnod (Worcester Tech, MA)
2nd Place - Joan Mendez & Alicia Herrera (Worcester Tech, MA)
1st Place - Andrew Nelson & Smanta Mazetis (Apponequet, MA)

Virtual Business Challenge - Sports
3rd Place - Justin Madoff, Dan Pelrine & Tim Jordan (MA DECA)
2nd Place - Anthony Carrancho, Romit Mirchandani & Rebecca Steinberg (MA DECA)
1st Place - Joseph Craig (Sevier County, TN)

Virtual Business Challenge - Finance
3rd Place - Rene Pineres, Michael Hunter & Erik Hall (Olive Branch, MS)
2nd Place - Sydney Webster & Brennan Woods (Murphy, AL)
1st Place - Ryan King & Kimberly Brower (Calhoun, NY)

The conference was capped off by an inspiring keynote address by Bill Cordes (see the picture of Bill on stage below) that left the audience ready to carry with them a positive attitude toward school, work and life.

The national officers in attendance (see picture below), Shelby Talbott, Southern Region VP; Mike LeVecque, North Atlantic Region VP; and Uzo Ogu, National President, thank all of you for coming to the conference and making it a wonderful experience.