Manchester Student Headed To State Business Competition

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township senior Keeley Ploumitsakos is set to compete this month in the DECA Principles of Marketing state competition.

Keeley won first place among 98 contestants in a competitive and rigorous Principles of Marketing DECA Regional Competition in January.

The competition is an extension of the Manchester Township High School Business Academy, and offers students the opportunity to participate in a student-funded competitive high school club called DECA.

DECA is a globally recognized organization that prepares emerging business leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

Keeley was one of nine Manchester Township High School students to compete in the Central Region Principles of Marketing Event at Kean University in January.

During the regional competition, Keeley was presented with a scenario-based marketing question and had 10 minutes to develop and pitch a plan that would tackle the marketing issue. She presented her pitch to a judge who was a professional in that particular business industry.

Keeley scored the highest out of the 98 competing students to take first place in that event, said Joseph Serratelli, Manchester DECA adviser and business teacher.

The Business Academy at Manchester Township High School was developed approximately four years ago. Serratelli and teacher Nicholas Salvemini introduced the MTHS DECA Club to further support Manchester business students as they seek business networking experience and real-world opportunities that support the fundamentals of business and marketing lessons that students are learning in the classroom.

Manchester High School's DECA club is seeking local businesses that are interested in sponsoring the school's business students who are participating in the club. Those interested should contact Serratelli by emailing jserratelli@mtschools.org.