Sept. 19, 2023 • Volume 26, Issue 18 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
INSIDE • Staying Focused on the Prosperity of South Carolina Going Forward 4A • Bluffton Church Donates Nearly Four Tons Of Food Locally 10A • Grandparents Can Have A Role In Saving For College 16A • A New Parkinson’s Forum Is Planned For Hardeeville 17A • Bluffton’s Fall Pop-Up Markets Announced 31A
Bluffton Students Seek Second International Retail Title With DECA By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
Three Bluffton High School students are preparing to repeat their entrepreneurial success in 2024 after achieving first place in a 2023 international business competition in Orlando, FL. Seniors Emily Henderson, Aubrey Rasel and Ori Faar qualified to compete at the 2023 DECA International Career Development Conference, placing highest against 17 other high schools in the category of school-based enterprise: retail operations for their school store. It wasn’t easy, but their efforts were rewarded. “Stepping on stage, I did not think we would place first. I was just happy to be there. I barely heard our names being called. Almost all of the DECA students at internationals from South Carolina had rushed the stage to support us,” said Henderson. “My teammate Ori was so excited he jumped up and knocked me flat on my face on stage. It would be a little embarrassing in normal conditions, but I was so happy it didn’t bother me. Even now, to say out loud we won first in our category doesn’t seem real.”
The Distributive Education Clubs of America was founded in 1946 and continues to prepare more than 200,000 students to become leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the world. “I’ve been doing DECA for as long as I’ve been a teacher — about 20 years,” said CarolLynn Nute, DECA advisor. “I haven’t had winners at the international level except for one year until I arrived at Bluffton.” A year ago, some of the students joined DECA not really knowing what they were getting themselves into, but they committed to doing their best. “The reason why DECA is enticing is the ability to gain experience needed for the future,” said Faar. “So everything that we’ve learned in DECA has been experience and winning. Everything has culminated into us becoming emerging leaders.” Each fall, DECA chapters receive a letter from the organization headquarters seeking submissions from those who wish to attain a gold certification for their specialty — in Bluffton’s case, a school store. “We just opened this store last August. Join us for an evening benefiting education and research.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2023
We are proud to announce Dr. Robert Hueter, OCEARCH Chief Scientist, as this year's guest presenter.
Tickets & Info: Call 843-645-7774 LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS AVAILABLE RESERVE YOUR TICKET TODAY!
Presented by Sound Stewards Sponsor: The Boathouse
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLUFF TON HIGH SCHOOL
Bluffton High School students Aubrey Rasel, left, Ori Faar and Emily Henderson earned first-place for schoolbased retail operations at 2023 DECA International Career Development Conference. They are hoping for another win at this year’s event.
When the letter arrived, the students took the guidelines, and wrote a 30-page business plan,” Nute said. Bluffton’s DECA store sells merchandise such as snacks that meet the
school’s healthy option guidelines as well as sweatshirts, water bottles, t-shirts and gen-
Please see DECA on page 12A