DECA is a co-curricular organization, which seeks to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA has been an integral aspect of Kempsville High School's Marketing Education Department, challenging Marketing students to transform classroom knowledge into real-world applications through competitions and conferences at the District, State, and International Level.

After the recent District and State Leadership Conferences, eight seniors from Kempsville High School have qualified to represent Virginia at the International level by earning competitive spots in their respective competition series at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), which will be held from April 24, 2015 through April 29, 2015. Marie Shoen, Sydney Parker, and Ally Will have qualified to compete in School-Based Enterprise, Katie Stoakley, Rebecca Schwartzman, and Hunter Sirrine in Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan, Jeanette Lam in Sports & Entertainment Marketing, and Antonio Carrigan in Restaurant & Food Service Management.

Though eager to move forward and showcase our knowledge of marketing applications, we are faced with financial barriers as there have been federal funding cuts. This has eliminated the funding for the conference, which we were informed of March 4, 2015 (after States). It will be difficult for our families to cover the necessary expenses (including, but not limited to: plane tickets, transportation in Orlando, and food) in such a short amount of time.

We need YOUR help! With your generosity and support, we hope to raise sufficient funds to send all eight competitors to ICDC in Orlando to fulfill this hard-earned opportunity. DECA has significantly impacted our lives, and as graduating seniors, we hope nothing more than to experience our last DECA Conference. Please help us spread the word - All donations are greatly appreciated!

Additional ICDC 2015 Information