A small but mighty group of three students from the Frankfort High School DECA chapter recently represented their school at the 80th Indiana DECA State Conference. Chapter president Lily Rockhold earned second place in the Financial Consulting event, continuing a successful competition season that began with an impressive performance at the district-level event. The chapter also received DECA’s School-Based Enterprise Gold Level Re-Certification along with the Thrive Level Chapter Campaigns Award, an honor earned by only two chapters in the state this year.
DECA is a co-curricular organization that prepares high school students for careers in business fields like marketing and finance. Frankfort High School is the only school in Clinton County with a DECA chapter, now in its 26th year. All students on the Marketing & Sales career pathway are DECA members. FHS offers a comprehensive marketing program, encompassing various classes such as Marketing Fundamentals, Digital Marketing, Strategic Marketing, Sports & Entertainment Marketing, and Fashion Merchandising. Students take part in competitions and leadership conferences while also gaining hands-on experience tied to their classes. Seniors in Strategic Marketing also operate DECA Cookies, a DECA Inc. and Otis Spunkmeyer recognized gold-certified school-based enterprise.
Frankfort’s chapter is also known for its community service work through the Backpack Buddies program, which provides weekend food for local students. What began years ago as a student-led effort has grown into a long-running project supported by DECA members and generous community sponsorships each year. Over the past 15 years, the program has raised more than $186,000 and distributed nearly 59,000 Buddy Bags to students in the district.
The Community Schools of Frankfort is proud of the way these students represent their school community. Their impressive results at the state conference are evidence of the dedication that they bring to their work in DECA and the care that they show for their Frankfort community.