DECA Business Club Students Earn Unprecedented 17 Spots at National Competition

A record-breaking 17 students qualified for the National DECA Competition (ICDC) by finishing within the top 7 in their events at the 66th New York State DECA Competition. An additional seven students finished within the top 10. The 2026 state tournament was the largest in the history of the competition with over 3,500 students in attendance. The competition was intense, but Harrison High School students exceeded the already high expectations. Students participated in the various DECA functions, workshops, and meetings. Many of the competitions require a written exam as well as a live-action role-play. This year an unprecedented 96 Harrison students attended the state competition, with many receiving awards in their competitions.

Club President Addison Valente reflected on the experience at the state competition, "The NYS DECA trip is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences our club has each year…Watching our entire chapter cheer for one another was incredible…Every time a member was called, our section erupted with excitement and pride… Experiences like these remind us that DECA is so much more than just a club or a competition.”

Congratulations to the 17 students who qualified to compete at the National competition!

Addison Valente: Restaurant & Food Service Management (4th time qualifying for Nationals) 

Jonathan Lewis: Hotel & Lodging Management (3rd time qualifying for Nationals)

Liam Azar: Quick Serve Restaurant Management (2nd time qualifying for Nationals) 

Evan Schwartz: Retail Merchandising (2nd time qualifying for Nationals) 

Emily Salemo: Franchise Business Plan (2nd time qualifying for Nationals)

Jonah Peligri & Avery Sickles: Finance Operations

Nolan Simmons: Automotive Series Marketing (3rd time qualifying for Nationals)

Marissa Lusardi: Human Resource Management 

Reese Haines & Brynn Ensign: Business Solutions Project

Cassandra DiBlasi & Selin Cangir: Sales Project 

Sophie Wong: Personal Financial Literacy 

Riko Suzuki & Zoe Kim: Buying & Merchandising Operations

Arata Yamazaki: Accounting Applications  (2nd time qualifying for Nationals)

CongratulationS to the students who placed in the top 10 at the NYS competition! 

Julia Braude & Sophie Bernardo - Financial Literacy Project, Madison Mazella & Paige Cronin- Financial Literacy Project, Hailey Graffeo & Lily Tse - Integrated Marketing Campaign Event- Service, Pierce Edwards - Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling, Jack Lewis - Financial Consulting, Nico Siega, Dani Udell & Maggie Springer- Integrated Marketing Campaign Event, Jack Lewis - Financial Consulting, Jordan Levine- Principles of Hospitality &Tourism