Whitefish High School had phenomenal representation at the DECA State Career Development Conference in Missoula Feb. 1-3, with 41 students earning accolades.  

This year, Whitefish brought their largest group ever of 85 students to the conference, accompanied by six adult chaperones.  

Students worked individually or with a partner to tackle complex business problems in front of a judge. 

Beyond the problem‑solving events, several students also developed full 20‑page business and marketing plans, along with pitch decks, which they presented to industry professionals. A number of WHS students brought their ideas to life, raising awareness and funds for causes they care deeply about, according to Kari Baxter, DECA advisor.  

"It truly serves as a bridge between the classroom and the real world and watching them rise to the challenge is incredible," Baxter wrote.

“The team represented WHS with exceptional professionalism, courtesy and work ethic.

“From showing up in suit and tie at 7:30 a.m., to tackling complex business problems in front of sometimes intimidating judges, to even learning a thing or two at the blackjack table, these students worked hard, had fun, and made Whitefish proud.” 

Students made it onto the awards stage for 31 events. Forty‑one students earned recognition, including six who placed in multiple events. Many earning recognition were attending the state conference for the first time. 

Several students earned first place including: Lucy Marzo, Career Development Project; Shailey Green and Allie Stuart, Community Awareness Project; Cole Moses, Personal Financial Literacy; and Mikayla Muller and Ryenn Schellinger, Sports and Entertainment Operations Research.  

With such a superb team, it was challenging to make selections for the group of students to represent Whitefish and the state of Montana at the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta this spring. Not all who qualified were able to accept their spot due to other commitments.  

Representing Whitefish on the international stage will be Leo Bungener, William Cubbage, Ben Dow, Luca Gignoux, Shailey Green, Mason Loeffler, Avery McPherson, Mikaya Muller, Ryenn Schellinger, Allie Stuart and Maggie Zonich. 

Whitefish student awards: 

Apparel & Accessories Marketing Series 

8th — Delila Vine  

Business Services Marketing 

2nd — Avery McPherson 

6th — Maggie Zonich  

8th — Ava Beck 

Business Services Operations Research 

2nd — Leo Bungener / William Cubbage / Luca Gignoux 

Buying & Merchandising Team Decision Making 

5th — Lucy Marzo / Delila Vine 

Career Development Project 

1st — Lucy Marzo 

Community Awareness Project 

1st — Shailey Green / Allie Stuart  

6th — Max Brown / Jack Flink / Ean Flynn 

Community Giving Project 

3rd — Clair Easterley / Bailey Lowell 

6th — Cole Moses / Joey Priegel  

8th — Ava Beck / Avery McPherson / Isabella Mitchell  

Financial Consulting Event 

3rd — Vanessa Solomon  

Financial Literacy Project 

4th — Maggie Zonich  

Financial Services Team Decision Making 

7th — Henrey Boysen / Sage Delaloye  

Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling 

8th — Nola Brown  

Hospitality & Tourism Operations Research 

2nd — Unity Loveless / Brody Morrison / Gavin Sibson  

3rd — Mason Loeffler  

Hospitality Services Team Decision Making 

8th — Max Brown / Ean Flynn  

Human Resources Management 

6th — Vanessa Solomon 

Innovation Plan 

8th — Abigail (scout) Berry / Nikolas Quenzer  

Integrated Marketing Campaign (Event) 

7th — Annabelle Barrile / Allison Shors  

Integrated Marketing Campaign (Product) 

5th — Carmela Forcone / Unity Loveless / Vanessa Solomon  

8th — Fawkes Flaherty / Cohen Gates / Mason Loeffler 

International Business Plan 

6th — Carmela Forcone / Chance Isles / Marcus Mercer  

Marketing Management Team Decision Making 

3rd — Marcus Mercer / Cole Moses  

Personal Financial Literacy 

1st — Cole Moses  

Principles of Business Management & Administration 

2nd — Allie Stuart  

5th — Benjamin Dow  

8th — Beck Moses  

Principles of Finance 

5th — Jake Shors  

Principles of Hospitality & Tourism 

8th — Sammie Shors  

Professional Selling Event 

5th — Isabella Mitchell  

Restaurant & Food Service Management 

5th — Marcus Mercer  

Retail Merchandising Series 

3rd — Unity Loveless  

Sports & Entertainment Operations Research 

1st — Mikayla Muller / Ryenn Schellinger  

    Whitefish students Carmela Forcone and Unity Loveless at the DECA state conference. (Brandon Droeger photo)
  

    Whitefish students Cole Moses and Marcus Mercer at the DECA state conference. (Brandon Droeger photo)