Three Rivers Student Advances to DECA National Competition
Jessica Sedrick, a Three Rivers student from Piedmont, will advance to the Collegiate DECA national competition after qualifying with a fifth-place finish at the DECA State Career Development Conference in Jefferson City. Sedrick, who is a sophomore in the Business Management program at Three Rivers, will compete in the Hotel and Lodging Management category against qualifying competitors from across the nation.
Jessica Sedrick poses with her trophy from the DECA State Career Development Conference in Jefferson City. Sedrick will journey to Orlando, Florida, in April to compete in DECA’s annual International Career Development Conference.
“The competitions are so much fun, and I’m really excited to go to Orlando later this year,” said Sedrick, who has been a member of the Three Rivers DECA chapter since Spring 2014. “I love being a part of DECA, and it feels good to be part of such an active, helpful group.”
Sedrick plans to graduate from Three Rivers in December and credits DECA with helping her achieve her goal of obtaining her associate degree. She has attended two DECA State conventions during her time at Three Rivers and was one of three students from Three Rivers to compete in this year’s event. After graduating, she says she is considering opening a diner in the Piedmont area to take advantage of the area’s tourist trade.
“DECA provides a lot of our students opportunities that they’d never otherwise receive,” said Dr. Martha Kirkman, an instructor of Business at Three Rivers and the faculty advisor for DECA on campus. “I’ve had students whose first time on a plane or going outside of the state was when they attended DECA conventions. It’s just a great source of personal and professional growth.”
DECA is a national organization that helps high school and college students across the country prepare for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through professional development, education, and networking opportunities. The Three Rivers chapter also helps to organize the yearly Merchant Showcase event in partnership with the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce as a professional development project for its members.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.