Whitefish youth a top marketer

Whitefish High School student Hailey Vasquez is top-notch when it comes to marketing.

The senior placed sixth out of the top 10 students internationally, after competing in the Apparel and Accessories Marketing category during the DECA International Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City April 27 through May 2.

Glacier High School sophomore Devin Zander was also recognized for placing in the top 20 in the Marketing Management Series category.

There were 48 different marketing, finance, hospitality and tourism, and business management categories, with between 400 to 500 competitors in each.

Whitefish High DECA adviser Jeremy Anderson said DECA’s competitive events use interviews, tests, role plays and written project reports to evaluate marketing and management skills identified by the business community as essential for success in business.

During a role-play final round, Vasquez had to solve a real-life marketing scenario with 10 minutes to prepare.

“Competing at internationals was an incredible experience. DECA has been very influential in my life, and I have Mr. Anderson to thank for helping myself and the rest of our chapter be so successful,” Vasquez said.