Kenmore West DECA Chapter Recognizes Students

As the year winds to a close, the Kenmore West High School DECA Chapter is recognizing numerous students including the graduating seniors who helped build the group into what it is today.

DECA is dedicated to preparing and inspiring students to become leaders and entrepreneurs in different fields such as marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. At DECA competitions, students are challenged to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a variety of individual and team events which simulate real-life scenarios. Multiple Kenmore West students earned a place at both the statewide and international competitions.

For starters, Kenmore West business teacher and DECA advisor Nicholas Warchocki congratulated 12th-grader Gabriel Tarantelli and 10th-grader Gianna Ayres-Barnack, both of whom were selected to compete at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta. Additionally, Gabriel earned the prestigious Award of Excellence at this year’s competition for his outstanding performance.

Mr. Warchocki also singled out all the graduating seniors who helped the chapter get off to such a successful start.

"This year marks a major milestone for our chapter, as it is the first year Kenmore West DECA has been approved to provide graduation recognition items for our seniors," Mr. Warchocki said. "These items are meant to celebrate the hard work, dedication, leadership, and achievements of our members throughout their time in DECA."

Gabriel as well as Ava McCrea earned the first-ever DECA graduation stoles, which is the highest honor a student can receive. Ava was one of the founding members of Kenmore West DECA and was instrumental in helping the chapter find success. She also qualified for the statewide DECA competition twice. As for Gabriel, he joined DECA two years ago and qualified for the ICDC both years he was a member.

Numerous other students were awarded certificates and pins for their participation as well as graduation honor cords and graduation tassels in recognition of their participation and success. The following seniors were recognized:

• Nathanel Baunda
• Kieryn Black
• Dominic DiGiulio
• Joseph Edwards
• Darya Fakharzadeh
• Russell Gauthier
• Maddy Greene
• Jack LaMotte
• Jack Lipowski
• Ava McCrea
• Natalia Rivera
• Kaleb Smith
• Joshua Szpara
• Gabriel Tarantelli
• Caiden Tyree