The Oxford High School DECA team had a fantastic showing at the state DECA competition held at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit last month, which resulted in 27 of its members moving on to the international competition.

DECA is a student organization that is designed to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

DECA is a national organization comprised of high school and college level students involved in a marketing program.

The students competed in events such as marketing, advertising, retail, merchandising, food marketing, restaurant management, entrepreneurship, sports entertainment, hospitality, finance and accounting.

Members competed in various role-plays and took assessments to showcase their business skills.

The Oxford DECA chapter has 48 members and has sent members to the national level every year since 1997, according to DECA Advisor Steve Ruch.

Students competing in the international competition are Chloe Allen, Bing Ash, Devon Bonner, Sergio Borg, Ally Boris, Jacob Call, Emily Carion, Jonathan Cruz, Matthew Cruz, Danielle DeRyckere, Grace Freiberg, Rick Galbrait, Kevin Godwin, Josie Hoffman, Isabella Igram, Alexis Jahlas, Rachel Kady, Chloe Lee, Ben Nuss, Darin Piazza, Lauren Sakosky, Alex Schultz, Amber Shabazz, Carlee Thompson, Taryn Tucker, Garrett Tyrrell and Kenna Wagner.

Ruch said he is very proud of his students’ accomplishments.

“We have a very high caliber of students that go into this,” Ruch said. “I get a kick out of watching all the kids compete and do well, whether they make it (to the competition) or not.”

An estimated 18,000 students, advisors, business persons, and alumni are set to attend the competition from all 50 states and several foreign countries.

The international DECA competition will be held April 25-30 in Anaheim, California.