March 24, 2026
By EMILY MARSHALL
Rutherford County Schools
Students from Rutherford County Schools showcased their talent, leadership, and business acumen at the Tennessee DECA State Career Development Conference (SCDC) held from February 24-27, 2026, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. DECA, a premier career and technical student organization (CTSO), prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.
Students from Blackman, Central Magnet School, Eagleville, LaVergne, Oakland, Riverdale, Rockvale, Siegel, Smyrna, and Stewarts Creek High schools attended the conference, competing in various events, participating in leadership training, and serving as voting delegates. Their hard work and dedication earned them numerous awards and recognitions across multiple categories. Award winners will advance to the international competition next month.
Written Event Winners
Students competing in DECA’s written events demonstrated their ability to conduct in-depth research and present comprehensive business strategies. Several teams placed in their respective categories and will be advancing to International DECA in April, including:
State Winners
- Community Awareness Project: Blackman HS – Carlee Beam, Isabel Kinsmen, Lauren Thaxton
- Finance Operations Research: Blackman HS – Kian Baik, Langston Thaxton
- Franchise Business Plan: Blackman HS – Krish Patel, Khallil Himbir
- Finance Exam: Oakland HS – Tomas Guzman Becerra
- Hospitality and Tourism Exam: Oakland HS – Cullen Surles
- Independent Business Plan: Central Magnet School – Mary Dowell, Haley Sessoms
State Runner-Up
- Business Growth Plan: Blackman HS – Edwin “Ed” Jenkins, Stephen Nelson, Maurice Starks
- Integrated Marketing Campaign Event: Blackman HS – Nick McVay
- Integrated Marketing Campaign Service: Oakland HS – Nikrah Gyamfi, Victoria Magana, Monique Savage
- Franchise Business Plan: Oakland HS – Maura Reed, Jasmyn Stevens, Anne Wylie
- Integrated Marketing Campaign Product: Central Magnet School – Asly Gramajo, Alicia Moreno
- Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling: Central Magnet School – Liam Arcos
Second Runner-Up
- Independent Business Plan: Blackman HS – Kyler Anthony, Patrick Brockley, Lucas Watts
- Professional Selling Event: Central Magnet School – Madison Harbour
4th
- Sports and Entertainment Marketing Operations Research: Riverdale HS – Youseff Eskandr, Cooper Moore, Asafu Yano
- Integrated Marketing Campaign Service: Central Magnet School – Daniel Hou, Adam Joe
- Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research: Stewarts Creek HS- Ella Schrems, Julian Lankford
- Independent Business Plan: Stewarts Creek HS- Nawid Akbary, Aaron Solomon, Shenouda Mikhail
5th
- Community Giving Project: Blackman HS – Caroline Gregory, Grayson LaPere, Lorelei Sembiring
- Finance Operations Research: Rockvale HS – Clement Ezete Jr., Braylon Manning
- International Business Plan: Central Magnet School – Go Niang, Feker Yeneneh
6th
- Sales Project: Stewarts Creek HS- Sarah Lewis, Tyson Jones, Kasen Miller
- Business Growth Plan: Stewarts Creek HS- Trent Ogletree, Dominic Panico
Roleplay and Case Study Event Winners
DECA’s role-play and case-study events test students’ ability to think critically and apply business concepts in real time. Notable achievements across the district and advancing to the next level include:
State Winners
- Principles of Finance: Central Magnet School – Truitt Surbaugh
- Automotive Services Marketing Series: Central Magnet School – Ben Hogan
- Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making: Central Magnet School – Will Clark, Julia Stuible
- Hospitality Services Team Decision Making: Stewarts Creek HS- Marina Tanas, J’Mareah Mefford
State Runner-Up
- Sports and Entertainment Team Decision Making: Blackman HS – Lejla Karamustafic, Caroline Norman
- Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series: Oakland HS – Lily Jackson
- Principles of Finance: Oakland HS – Mariam Adeogun
- Automotive Services Marketing Series: Siegel HS – Gavin Qualls
- Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series: Central Magnet School – Cari Bond
- Human Resources Management Series: Central Magnet School – Liya Beyene
- Restaurant and Food Service Management Series: Central Magnet School – Kyle Carter
- Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making: Central Magnet School – Molly Bartsch, Breanna Gonzalez
Second Runner-Up
- Accounting Applications Series: Lavergne HS – Jasmine Remy
- Principles of Entrepreneurship: Central Magnet School – Felix Jeong
- Entrepreneurship Series: Central Magnet School – Daniel Lee
- Hotel and Lodging Management Series: Central Magnet School – Kirubel Fikre
- Retail Merchandising Series: Central Magnet School – Alice Wang
- Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series: Central Magnet School – Evan Lee
- Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series: Oakland HS – Cullen Surles
4th
- Principles of Hospitality and Tourism: Eagleville School – Emily Byrd
- Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series: Oakland HS – Lily Jackson
- Restaurant and Food Service Management Series: Central Magnet– Kevan Dedhia
5th
- Personal Financial Literacy: Siegel HS – Aida Mongold
6th
- Restaurant & Food Service: Eagleville School – Bayli Sutter
- Principles of Finance: Central Magnet School – Havilynn Burton
- Principles of Marketing: Central Magnet School – Elena Peck
- Accounting Applications Series: Central Magnet School – Hunter Shadrick
- Business Services Marketing Series: Central Magnet School – Hollis Jackson
- Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making: Central Magnet School – Ashmi Patel, Darian Roberts
7th
- Personal Financial Literacy: Central Magnet School- Matias Carmona
- Business Finance: Central Magnet School- Anirudh Kodukula
- Sports and Entertainment Marketing: Central Magnet School- Parker Griffen, JT Parkerson
- Apparel and Accessories: Eagleville School- Morgan Foote
- Hospitality Services Team Decision Making: Stewarts Creek HS- Marina Tanas, J’Mareah Mefford
Langston Thaxton elected Tennessee State Vice President of Marketing
Langston Thaxton, a DECA member at Blackman High School, was elected to serve as the Tennessee DECA State Vice President of Marketing, representing thousands of DECA members across the state. As a member of the State Officer Team, Langston will play a key role in promoting DECA, supporting chapter growth, and enhancing the overall member experience. In this leadership role, he will represent Tennessee DECA at conferences and outreach events, lead workshops, collaborate with fellow officers to implement statewide initiatives, and serve as a role model for students pursuing careers in marketing, business, and entrepreneurship. His selection reflects both his leadership ability and commitment to advancing DECA’s mission across Tennessee.
School-Level Awards
Several Rutherford County high schools received recognition for outstanding chapter achievements, membership growth, community engagement, and school-based enterprise excellence.
Membership Campaign Recognition
Every fall, DECA encourages chapters to increase and engage membership through targeted recruitment efforts that involve students, alumni, and professional members. Campaigns recognize achievements based on specific membership criteria, such as total student members or meeting certain growth benchmarks.
- Stewarts Creeh High School – 250 Club Membership Campaign
- Blackman High School – 150 Club Membership Campaign
- Eagleville School- 150 Club Membership Campaign
- Central Magnet School – 125 Club Membership Campaign
- Oakland High School- 125 Club Membership Campaign
- Riverdale High School – 75 Club Membership Campaign
- Smyrna High School- 75 Club Membership Campaign
- Siegel High School – Achievement Level Membership Campaign
Chapter Campaign Recognition- Thrive Level
DECA offers four annual chapter campaigns designed to strengthen leadership development, increase member engagement, and build partnerships within schools and local communities. Campaign areas include Community Service, Innovations and Entrepreneurship, Promotional, and Membership.
Chapters earning Thrive Level recognition must successfully complete a combination of these campaigns, demonstrating a comprehensive program of leadership. Thrive Level chapters receive national recognition, including a commemorative pennant, flag, and plaque, and gain the opportunity to participate in DECA’s ICDC.
- Blackman High School earned Thrive Level Chapter Campaign recognition by completing the Community Service Campaign, Innovations and Entrepreneurship Campaign, and Promotional Campaign.
- Stewarts Creek High School received recognition as a Thrive Level Chapter for completing three campaign programs during the 2025-2026 school year.
School-Based Enterprise Certification
DECA’s School-Based Enterprise (SBE) certification program recognizes student-run businesses that align with national curriculum standards and model business practices. Student leaders complete a comprehensive written project showcasing operations in areas such as retail or food service management.
Certification is awarded at three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold, with Gold-level certification representing the highest standard of excellence. Gold-certified SBEs are eligible to attend the exclusive SBE Academy and competition at DECA’s ICDC.
- Rockvale High School earned SBE Chapter Certification, led by students Annalise Poplin and Ben Dauksa, who successfully demonstrated excellence in business operations and management.
- Siegel High School earned Gold Certification for the 5th consecutive year for its Siegel Store School-Based Enterprise, recognizing outstanding performance in retail operations and student leadership. Cassidy Vaughn and Maria Lotito will advance to ICDC to present the SBE at the next level of competition.
- Smyrna High School earned Gold Certification for Bulldog Station, its school-based enterprise. Bulldog Station was one of only five new school-based enterprises in Tennessee to receive Gold Certification. Students David Johnson and Zoie Tubbs accepted the award on behalf of their program.
Leadership Academy Participants
The #GoTheExtra Leadership Academy provided students with the opportunity to develop strategies to strengthen their local DECA chapters, increase community engagement, and network with Tennessee DECA leaders from across the state. Designed for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, the academy allows each chapter to send up to ten student leaders to participate in this immersive leadership experience. The following students participated:
- Blackman HS: Carrigan Catron, Aubree Hinton, Emma Martin, Julieth Velasquez-Espinoza
- Central Magnet School: Gelila Bilate, Nathan Clemons, Avery Dale, Dylan Douglass, Caleb Crutchfield, Catalina Dentino, Audrey Dewey, Sadie Gordon, Adrian Meho, Charlie Strickland, Jao Vongsavath
- Eagleville HS: Shelby Spence, Riley Hernandez
- Oakland HS: Ashley Cathi-Ramos, Gabe Cops, Kenyana Flowers, Taylyn Gann, Madlyn Gill, Kaitlyn Harrington, Sioni Hurd, Shelby Johnson, Kaitlyn Rouson, Faith Stephens
- Riverdale HS: Ah’Mari Lawrence, Benjamin Simpkins, Cooper Ledbetter, Joy Dillard, Kellen Doyle, Sophi Messer, Mia Robinson
- Rockvale HS: Kylee Meador, Layla Hearn, Joshua Weaver
- Siegel HS: Miranda Mueller, Zion Williams
- Smyrna HS: Zoie Tubbs, Audrey Greenfield, Paw Blet
These students gained valuable insights into leadership, teamwork, and community involvement, further strengthening their roles within their local DECA chapters.
Voting Delegates
As part of DECA’s governance, students represented their schools as voting delegates, helping to shape the future of Tennessee DECA. Students representing their schools as voting delegates included:
- Blackman HS: Carrigan Catron, Aubree Hinton
- Central Magnet School: Audrey Dewey, Sadie Gordon
- Oakland HS: Kenyana Flowers, Gabe Cops
- Riverdale HS: Kassadie Myles, Cooper Moore
- Rockvale HS: Ben Dauksa, Annalise Poplin
- Siegel HS: Miranda Mueller, Zion Williams
- Smyrna HS: Zoie Tubbs, Audrey Greenfield
- Stewarts Creek HS: Caleb Brown and Addison Retzlaff
Looking Ahead
With these outstanding achievements, many students from Rutherford County Schools have qualified to compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, from April 25-28, 2026. They will compete against top students from across the nation, further developing their leadership, entrepreneurship, and business skills.
Rutherford County Schools is incredibly proud of these students and their advisors for their dedication and success at the Tennessee DECA State Career Development Conference. Their accomplishments highlight the district’s commitment to fostering future leaders in business and entrepreneurship.
For more information about DECA and its impact on student success, visit www.deca.org.