Nineteen students from the Oxford High School DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) organization have advanced to the state competition after top performances during the district competition.

The district round took place at Olive Branch High School on Jan. 17.

DECA is a career and technical education student organization whose mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the world.

“Each student that competed did an outstanding job in their events,” said OHS DECA sponsor Stacy Murchison. “They all represented OHS in the most professional and respectful way while competing at the district competition. Our students definitely see the value in going above and beyond our traditional curriculum and choosing to compete against other DECA students, at the district, state and national level. These students will have a definite advantage with communication and presentation skills when they enter college and the workforce.”

The OHS students will now take part in the state competition against other Mississippi DECA students for a place on the Mississippi DECA team and earn a trip to the International Career Development Conference held in Nashville in April.

The 19 students who will represent OHS in the state competition in Vicksburg on Feb. 26 through 28 are: Kara Hillard — fourth place, Business Finance series; Hannah Randall and Frances Abernathy — first place, Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making; Joe Buchanan — sixth place, Entrepreneur Individual Series; Ivy Dennis and Molly Swingle — fourth place, Hospitality Services Team Decision Making; Gigi Yoste and Abigail Lay — third place, Hospitality Services Team Decision Making; Mina Gater — second place, Principles of Finance; Abby Lowery — first place, Principles of Marketing; Ella O’Neil — third place Restaurant and Food Service Management Individual series; Coker Scott and Grey McKellar — fifth place, Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making; Aldrin Munoz — third place, Sports and Entertainment Marketing Individual series; Alex O’Neil — second place, Sports and Entertainment Marketing Individual series; Lucia Heiskell and Annie Seigle — second place, Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making; Nateria Rash and Ja’Kiyah Polk — fifth place, Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making.