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ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Collegiate DECA students showcased their skills at the Michigan Collegiate DECA State Career Development Conference on February 8 and 9, competing against more than 200 students from 11 colleges and universities across Michigan.

Students competed in individual and team events, demonstrating their strategic thinking, problem-solving, and business acumen. Among them, ten were finalists in individual events, earning two first-place, one second-place, and two third-place awards. In team events, seven of Kettering’s nine teams advanced to the finals, securing one first-place, one second-place, and two third-place finishes.

A total of 16 Kettering students were named finalists, with 11 earning top-three finishes. These 11 students have now earned the opportunity to represent ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference in San Francisco on April 5-8, 2025.

Top Finishers

Individual Event Winners:
First Place

• Ethan Arun (Computer Science, B-Section DECA President) – Fashion Marketing
• Benjamin Bollman (Mechanical Engineering) – Entrepreneurship Operations

Second Place

• Jack Krugh (Mechanical Engineering) – Travel and Tourism

Third Place

• Harrison Ketchum (Mechanical Engineering) – Hotel and Lodging
• Ria Kapoor (Management) – Restaurant and Food Service Management

Team Event Winners:
First Place

• Emilio Lord (Management) & Adam Quintana (Mechanical Engineering) – Sports Marketing

Second Place

• Adam Meyer (Mechanical Engineering, A-Section DECA President) & Aidan Petras (Computer Engineering & Computer Science) – Entertainment Marketing

Third Place

• Benjamin Bollman (Mechanical Engineering) & Rishika Santhosh Kumar (Computer Science) – Business Ethics
• Ria Kapoor (Management) & Joseph Kowalski (Chemical Engineering) – Business Research

Additional Finalists

• Jack Hernandez (Industrial Engineering) – Hotel and Lodging, International Marketing
• Ryan Hociota (Electrical Engineering) – Entrepreneurship Operations, Entertainment Marketing
• Meadow Loukmas (Mechanical Engineering) – Marketing Management
• Aidan O'Neill (Mechanical Engineering) – Event Planning
• Leopold Richter (Chemical Engineering) – Event Planning

Other Competitors

• Ally Raymer (Mechanical Engineering)
• Jack Sigelko (Computer Engineering)

All students demonstrated exceptional preparation, determination, and professionalism throughout the competition. Their hard work and dedication continue to exemplify the excellence of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ’s Collegiate DECA program.