On Jan. 16, four teams of students from DECA competed in the Young Entrepreneurs Business Plan (YEBP) competition. DECA members used the event as practice to compete in the DECA state competition from March 9 to 11.

Andy Dugan, Mark Connors and Zachary “Zach” Zoccola, DECA members and seniors, won first place for their business plan. Alec Imaizumi, DECA member and senior, won first place in the individual competition for his business plan and Drake Baugh, DECA member and senior, won second place in the individual competition for his business plan. DECA members who won awards will receive them on Thursday.

According to DECA sponsor Laura Cardamon, the students worked on their business plans during the first semester and she submitted the business plans to the competition in December. She said she was proud of how the students did on their business plans.

“I think the kids worked really hard,” Cardamon said. “They revised (their business plans) several times. I looked at (their business plans) several times. They did a really good job.”

Baugh wrote his business plan for the YEBP competition about Orange Leaf. He said he feels the competition was useful for him in preparing for a potential career.

“(The YEBP competition) is definitely helpful for the future since I plan on going into business,” Baugh said.

Cardamon said she will submit the business plans from the YEBP competition for the DECA state competition.

“This little business plan competition will get (the student) ready for state,” Cardamon said.

Baugh said he liked participating in the YEBP competition.

“I very much enjoyed (participating in the YEBP competition),” Baugh said. “I worked really hard and I loved it.”