DECA placed second in the Indiana State Career Development Conference (SCDC). Thirty-one CHS students qualified for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), which will be in Atlanta from May 3 to 6.

Lauren Fogel, DECA member and senior, went to the ICDC last year and said she had a positive experience.

“It was a lot of fun last year,” Fogel said. “It was interesting to see so many high-achieving students who were really passionate about business, and to all be centered in one place together was definitely a learning experience.”

Mark Connors, DECA member and senior, is participating in an event that involves presenting a business plan, so he said he will prepare for the ICDC by practicing his presentation.

“(I will prepare for ICDC) by going over my paper and adding things in that the judge pointed out and just working on my presentation more,” Connors said.

Fogel, on the other hand, said she is in an individual event, so she must prepare for the ICDC differently.

“I have to take a multiple choice test and then do two role-plays, which are impromptu, so it’s a little bit harder to prepare for the role-plays, but I can do practice role-plays,” Fogel said.

According to DECA sponsor Laura Cardamon, ICDC is very competitive, but she believes some of the students will place among the top six in their events.

“I think the kids are very prepared,” Cardamon said. “I think we’ll see some finalist students.”