VIRGINIA BEACH – The Blacksburg DECA chapter returned from Virginia Beach decorated with trophies, scholarships, and international qualifications following a historic performance at the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference.
Competing against a record-breaking field of over 5,600 students, Blacksburg students secured their spots among the elite, proving once again why the chapter remains a powerhouse in the Commonwealth.
International Dreams and Competitive Excellence
Three Blacksburg students punched their tickets to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, this April. Several other Bruins finished just one spot shy of the automatic qualifying cutoff and are expected to receive invitations as alternates.
The ICDC Qualifiers:
Eila Tauzell: Top 9 (Human Resources Management)
Lucy Stewart & Madi Lucero: Top 9 (Buying and Merchandising Operations Research)
The chapter also saw a strong showing of semifinalists who excelled in testing and role play scenarios, including Jack Herbert, Hendrik Amelink, Simon Chiao, Sadie Zhang, Reid Webster, Sophie Zhang, and Sabreena Shi.
Blacksburg DECA’s success was not limited to the competition floor. The chapter was once again honored with the prestigious Blue Chip Award, cementing its status as one of the top-performing chapters in Virginia.
Individual Awards:
Simon Chiao was recognized for his impactful service as the 2025 District President.
Patrick Walsh took the stage to accept the Bear Necessities Recertification Award.
Emily Diggs was awarded the Charles Craig Memorial Scholarship from the Virginia DECA Foundation, a high honor recognizing academic and leadership excellence.
The leadership behind the students also garnered significant praise. Jessica Catley was recognized for her dual roles as a member of the Virginia DECA Board of Trustees and the 2025 District Advisor. Her mentorship culminated in being named a Gold Level Outstanding Advisor for 2026.