Upcoming Business Leaders Represent West High at DECA State Conference in Chattanooga

First Row

Pascual Perez Gomez, Emma Miracle, Emily Yang, Caroline Brady, Mrs. Cutshaw 

Second Row 

Marvin Mendes Velasquez, Thomas Drinnon, Ezekiel Griffis, Maythe Fuentes Hernandez, Manny Quintero Mancilla, Jessica Gonzalez Martinez

Ten ambitious students traveled to the Scenic City Chattanooga, TN from Feb. 25-27 to compete in the Tennessee DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America.) State Career Development Conference. Led by sponsor Mrs. Jackie Cutshaw and accompanied by Mr. Chris Greene, the group joined thousands of peers at the Chattanooga Convention Center for three days of tough competition and professional networking.

The group tackled a variety of challenging categories. Maythe Fuentes competed in the Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series, while Marvin Mendes Velasquez tested his expertise in the Personal Financial Literacy event. Jessica Gonzalez Martinez, who described the trip as "Very fun and educational," competed in Principles of Business Administration and Management.

"Advancing to the state level in DECA is an accomplishment that demonstrates a great amount of preparation and dedication," said Cutshaw. "Competing against some of the top students in the state pushed them outside their comfort zones and strengthened their confidence, professionalism, and real-world business skills."

The conference served as a reunion for many. Marvin Mendes Velasquez reconnected with familiar faces from Farragut, Brentwood, and Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts, noting that several peers had “advanced alongside him from last year's finance events.”

Similarly, Maythe Fuentes found value in the downtime between events. "I did meet other competitors from other schools who I saw in regionals," she shared. "We had some time while waiting for role play to talk about the competition and shared tips on how to perform."

While the focus remained on business, the students took full advantage of Chattanooga’s local charm. Between competitive rounds, the group explored the city’s various unique shops and local eateries. For Jessica Gonzalez Martinez, the highlight was the simple joy of "going out to eat with my roommates," while Maythe Fuentes fondly recalled "Going to the aquarium and seeing the penguins."

Though the team did not advance to the international stage this year, the experience was viewed as a colossal success. Mrs. Cutshaw emphasized that the group represented the school with "excellence," providing a "strong foundation" for the future.

"Success isn’t measured only by medals," Cutshaw noted. "We’re bringing home experience, growth, and a deeper understanding of what it takes to compete at a high level. Our students learned valuable lessons... and we will use what we gained to come back even stronger next year."