Taylor Hahn participates in Collegiate DECA International Competition

2014 Jun 16

William Woods University students Amy Faus of Waterloo, Ill., and Lacee Floyd of Littleton, Colo., placed in the top 10 internationally for "Entrepreneurship: Starting a Business" at the recent Collegiate DECA International Competition.

They were among 1,300 students who participated in the competition in Washington D.C., April 22-27. They qualified by taking second in the tri-state competition in Jefferson City, Mo., in February. About 170 Missouri students competed there.

Taylor Hahn of Ellisville, Mo., was among other WWU students who participated at the tri-state competition.

Winners from William Woods were:

Emily Nichols of Hannibal, N.Y., second in professional sales

Tara Seboldt of Fults, Ill., third in travel and tourism; also competed in business ethics

Miranda Lauby of Cozad, Neb., fifth in travel and tourism; also competed in marketing management

Taylor Finkel of Grand Rapids, Mich., fifth in hotel and lodging; also competed in hotel and lodging

Ellen Robb of Columbia, Mo., fifth in retail management; also competed in professional sales

In addition, 11 other students participated in the tri-state competition:

Dylan Becker of Ashland, Mo., accounting

Kara Eikenbarty of Independence, Mo., business ethics and hotel/lodging

Maryiah Fulsom of Mexico, Mo., professional sales, and restaurant and food service management

Rochelle Garcia of Yukon, Okla., business ethics, and travel and tourism

Jake Hawes of Dardenne Prairie, Mo., sports and entertainment marketing

Alyssa Holmsley of Chesterfield, Mo., business ethics, and travel and tourism

Daniel Paez of Bogota, Colombia, accounting and business ethics

Joao Paulo Parra of Sao Paulo, Brazil, sports and entertainment marketing

Addy Reddish of Colorado Springs, Colo., business ethics, and travel and tourism

DECA is an international organization that prepares both high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Collegiate DECA programs assist in developing academically prepared, community-oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.

A student-driven organization, Collegiate DECA values leadership, innovation, integrity and teamwork. It prepares students for careers by integrating skills learned in the classroom into real world experiences.

Dr. Linda Duke, WWU assistant professor of marketing and business and the group's adviser, was pleased with what the students achieved.

"WWU students continue to be strong competitors at both regional and international levels of business competition each and every year. Our students' successes reflects the exceptional level of education they receive at WWU."

William Woods University is an independent, professions-oriented, liberal arts-based institution serving the educational needs of both men and women. William Woods has an enrollment of about 3,000 students, and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines in campus and outreach settings and online..

The 200-acre main campus is located in the mid-Missouri community of Fulton. Since its founding in 1870, the mission of William Woods has been to provide a quality education while ensuring the development of the individual.