On Jan. 7, 2026, Brighton High School’s DECA team competed in the District 4 competition to see who would earn the opportunity to compete at the state competition in March. Brighton decided to start the year out right by having 68 members qualify for states, 15 more competitors than in 2025. Out of those 68 medallists, multiple also won either the individual testing medals, roleplay medals or both. In total, Brighton took home 118 medals. 

Although winning medals is the ultimate goal, there is much more that participants take away from DECA. DECA, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to shaping the future of entrepreneurship, helps teach students skills related to business, finance and marketing. The organization as a whole strives to teach students how to be professional, be self-motivated and be problem solvers. These characteristics will carry with them throughout their professional careers.

“I love the career development opportunities and networking that is involved with DECA, but I also love the team atmosphere,” senior Alyssa Ortega said.

DECA competitors prepare for these events by doing multiple tests and roleplay practices in order to prepare themselves for the competition. With each round, the preparation becomes exponentially more important.

“I’m really curious to see who will make it to the next level…the shining stars really emerge in terms of leadership…to see who takes the bull by the horns and really shows what they have,” Mr. Ryan Ford, BHS’s DECA advisor, said.

The next step for Brighton DECA is the state competition in Detroit from March 5-7, 2026. There, BHS’s qualifiers will compete with DECA members from across the state for a place at the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I was really impressed with how well everyone did…I’m looking forward to being able to be there with everyone, enjoy the moment,” BHS DECA president Andrew Kennedy said.