Middletown DECA Shines at State Career Development Conference
MIDDLETOWN, CT—On March 3, 2025, Middletown High School DECA students showcased their business acumen at the Connecticut DECA State Career Development Conference, bringing home an impressive 43 awards, including 30 international qualifications. The annual conference brought together approximately 1,400 students from across the state to compete in Marketing, Management, Hospitality, and Finance events.
Middletown DECA, one of the state’s most longstanding and successful co-curricular student organizations, has consistently achieved top recognition for over 45 years. The school’s Marketing program has also been ranked #1 in the state for four consecutive years.
The competitive events at the conference included rigorous content-based testing and real-world problem-solving presentations judged by industry professionals. Categories ranged from Business Finance and Marketing Management to Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Hospitality Services. Each event saw nearly 30 competitors vying for top honors.
Middletown students delivered outstanding performances, securing first, second, and third-place finishes across multiple categories. The first-place winners were:
Cristian Perez – Business Finance
Qymesha Hutley – Food Marketing
Azra Sumani – Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
Yasmin Lopez – Automotive Services Marketing
Dana Kugeman – Accounting Applications
Brody Miller – Restaurant Management
Savino Civitillo & Aiden Roy – Buying and Merchandising Team
Second- and third-place winners also secured spots at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), which will be held in Orlando, FL, this April. This global event will host over 23,000 attendees from more than 10 countries, making it the “Olympics” of Business and Marketing education.
The success of Middletown DECA students is a testament to their hard work and dedication, supported by alumni, parents, educators, and local businesses. Special recognition goes to MHS Principal Dr. Dawn Brooks, Director of Innovation and Grant Services Natalie Forbes, Superintendent Dr. Vasquez-Matos, Mayor Florsheim, the Common Council, the Middlesex Chamber, and the Board of Education for their continued support.
DECA advisors Dave Reynolds, Vivian Sheen, and Lee Schwartzman expressed their pride in the students’ achievements and encouraged the community to follow their journey on Instagram @middletowndeca.
As these talented students prepare for the ICDC in April, the entire Middletown community celebrates their hard-earned success and wishes them the best of luck on the international stage.