Lawrence High School Excels at DECA States

Written by: Lawrencian Staff

During the first week of March, Lawrence High School’s DECA chapter traveled to Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City to compete in the annual state conference. Those who advanced from the Districts Conference held in early January attended this next exciting and highly competitive event that brings together the top-performing business students from across New Jersey. Over the course of three days, students showcased their talents in events like marketing, finance, hospitality, and entrepreneurship while building connections and gaining valuable real-world experience. Their hard work paid off as Lawrence DECA once again had an outstanding showing at the state level.

LHS DECA States 2026 participants!

One of the highlights of this year’s competition came from senior Kali Miga, who competed in the Food Marketing Series and completed a Business Operations Research project focused on “Uncle Ed’s Creamery.” Reflecting on her experience, Kali shared that one of her favorite memories was spending time with friends before competing. With events scheduled close together, students were able to support one another and stay relaxed instead of overwhelmed.

Kali also emphasized the importance of community within DECA. She explained that while preparing for events can be stressful, having encouragement from teachers and peers made a significant difference. “DECA has taught me that there is always someone cheering you on,” she shared, noting how that support helped build her confidence throughout the process. She also gave a special shoutout to Katie Dunn for being a constant source of encouragement and guidance throughout the year.

Fellow seniors Nishka DeSai and Megan John earned 3rd place in Hospitality Services Management Team Decision Making while senior Katie Dunn earned 2nd in Sports & Entertainment Marketing Series. Juniors Alexis Audet, Shanaya Shroff, and sophomore Quinn LaFlamme also placed 3rd for their event in Project Management Financial Literacy. Finally, junior Rohan Pathak qualified for the international conference for his work in the Marketing Communication Individual Series. Congratulations to everyone!

Lawrence DECA’s advisors, Mr. John Tees and Mrs. Alexis Eggert, also earned a huge shoutout during this conference as they were, for the second time, named Chapter Advisors of the Year! They expressed immense pride in this acknowledgement and reflected greatly on their students’ accomplishments. Mr. Tees shared, “I’m really proud of how our students performed at States this year. Their hard work, growth, and the way they supported one another made this success even more meaningful. We’re excited to carry that momentum into ICDC next month and look forward to seeing them represent our chapter on the international stage.” 

Mrs. Eggert echoed that pride, highlighting the chapter’s continued success: “We are so proud of our students for leading Lawrence DECA into another triumphant year! To be named Chapter of the Year for the second time in a row shows how hard our members work for the success of this chapter. We are looking forward to bringing 14 amazing students to ICDC and seeing all the hard work pay off! Each year makes me more proud to be an advisor of the Lawrence HS DECA Chapter!”

DECA Advisors Mr. Tees and Mrs. Eggert posing with Dr. Klim and Dr. Adam with their awards!

A standout moment from this year’s conference was the recognition of Lawrence Township Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Robyn Klim, who was honored with the Administrator of the Year award. This prestigious honor celebrates educational leaders who demonstrate exceptional support for career and technical education programs like DECA. Dr. Klim’s leadership has played a vital role in fostering opportunities for students to grow beyond the classroom. LHS Principal Dr. David Adam, who earned the DECA Administrator of the Year award during the 2020-2021 school year, was proud to present Dr. Klim with this achievement. Congratulations, Dr. Klim!

Overall, the DECA State Conference was a memorable and rewarding experience for Lawrence High School students. From competitive success to meaningful connections, participants represented their school with pride and professionalism. As they prepare to take the next step onto the international stage at the end of April in Atlanta, Georgia, Lawrence DECA continues to prove that hard work and strong leadership can lead to incredible achievements.