Students at the Schuylkill Technology Center recently competed in the state Distributive Education Clubs of America competition held recently in Hershey.

Many local students took home medals.

The top student was George Lopez Vazquez, an 11th grade student from Shenandoah Valley School District. Lopez Vasquez, who is studying Marketing and Business Administration at STC, earned a spot in the national DECA competition scheduled for April 26-May 1 in Anaheim, California.

His win makes him the first STC student to ever compete in the national DECA competition, said STC director Shannon Brennan.

In addition to Lopez Vasquez’s success, two STC students earned first place, five students were triple medal winners, six students earned double medals, and one earned a single medal.

Local winners included Carson Farber, Danah Brozyno and Autumn Porter, all of Tamaqua Area School District, and Kaitlyn Zulli and Jaicie Snyder, both of Blue Mountain School District.

STC operates a local DECA Chapter, which is dedicated to preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges throughout the globe. DECA hosts industry-validated competitive events that involve written and interactive components aligned with the career and technical programs of study for marketing, business, tourism, hospitality and finance.