Stepinac High School’s DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) Business Challenge Club continues to excel, earning impressive results at the Hudson Valley Regional Competition.
Twenty-five Stepinac students competed across 21 events against students from 25 schools throughout the Hudson Valley, showcasing their skills in a wide range of business disciplines. Their outstanding performance resulted in placements in 15 of the 21 events entered.
Eleven students earned placements in individual events, while eight students placed in team events. As a result, 19 of the 25 competing students have qualified to advance to the New York State DECA Competition.
“I am incredibly proud of our DECA Business Challenge students,” said Rackeal Bellamy, Chair of the Business Department. “Their dedication, creativity, and teamwork not only shined at the regional competition but also set them up for success as they advance to States. These students are true examples of leadership in action, and I can’t wait to see how they continue to grow and excel.”
Individual Awards & Event Placements
- Daniel Campana ’26 – 2nd Place in Accounting Applications (F) Financial Analysis
- James Cosgrove ’26 – 5th Place in Hotel & Lodging Management (H) Promotion
- Cian Doyle ’26 – 7th Place in Principles of Finance (BA) Operations
- Alex Ellovich ’28 – 5th Place in Marketing Communications (M) Promotion
- Luke Harvey ’26 – 3rd Place in Business Services Marketing (M) Emotional Intelligence
- Michael McTiernan ’27 – 4th Place in Business Finance (F) Financial Analysis
- Diego Medal Velazquez ’27 – 5th Place in Personal Financial Literacy (PF) Managing Credit
- Jack Oliveri ’28 – 1st Place in Principles of Business Management & Administration (BA) Customer Relations
- Jude Palmer ’28 – 7th Place in Apparel & Accessories (M) Operations
- Ryan Smith ’27 – 2nd Place in Principles of Marketing (BA) Communication Skills
- Vincent Straface ’27 – 7th Place in Principles of Entrepreneurship (BA) Information Management
Team Awards & Event Placements
- Elden Agee ’26 & Michael Watson ’26 – 1st Place in Business Law & Ethic (BM) Customer Relations
- Vincent Mazzei ’28 & Ethan Murphy ‘28 – 3rd Place in Entrepreneurship (E) Product / Service Management
- Jack Coco ’26 & Richie DeMarco ’26 – 3rd Place in Financial Services (F) Financial Analysis
- Dwayne Saunders ’26 & Connor Skelly ’26 – 5th Place in Sports & Entertainment Marketing (M) Promotion
“DECA pushes us to think like real business professionals,” said Jack Oliveri ’28, who earned 1st Place in Principles of Business Management & Administration. “From preparing for role-plays to analyzing real-world scenarios, we learn how to think critically, communicate effectively, and perform under pressure. Advancing to States is exciting, but it’s also a reflection of the hard work our entire team has put in.”
At the State level, Stepinac students will compete against approximately 3,400 high school DECA members from across New York. Competitors will complete a comprehensive written assessment and participate in two role-play scenarios designed to test real-world business decision-making skills. Top performers at States will earn eligibility to advance to the DECA International Career Development Conference, to be held this year in Atlanta, Georgia.
