On February 30, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) arrived at JP Stevens in formal attire in preparation for their trip to Atlantic City to compete in the DECA state competition. The competition was a chance for the students to showcase their business skills and knowledge while networking with other students and professionals in the industry.

“There was a lot of excitement surrounding the tournament,” said junior Aniket Jha. “Atlantic City has always been an amazing tourist spot, and it doesn’t get much better than hosting a competition at a resort.”

Once the 98 DECA members that went on the trip had checked into their rooms, the rest of the evening was spent socializing and exploring the resort. However, once nighttime struck, it was time for the opening ceremony. The students gathered in the main conference room and were given a brief introduction to the competition and warmly welcomed to DECA’s 2023 New Jersey state competition.

The next day, students woke up bright and early to get ready for their events, such as hotel management, tourism and travel, marketing campaigns, 20-page papers, and business principles roleplay. 

“It was absolutely nerve-wracking,” said sophomore Shriya Ummaneni. “I don’t think I have ever been more scared about talking to someone as much as I was that day.”

It seems that the pressure only motivated the students to do better, as, during the closing ceremony and awards session, it was announced that 12 students from JP qualified for the national competition that will be held in Florida. It was a night of celebration and joy as the students socialized with the thousands of kids from other schools. 

“Although I did not qualify for the national competition, the event was a huge success for me,” said sophomore Ishaan Manu. “I went in expecting nothing but walked out with the most valuable gift of all: experience.”

The trip to Atlantic City was an unforgettable experience for the students involved in DECA. They not only gained valuable skills in the field of business and hospitality but also learned the importance of teamwork, dedication, and perseverance. It will, undoubtedly, be an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives.