High school students excel in DECA district competition: Strong Points

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — Strongsville High School juniors and seniors recently competed in this year’s virtual DECA district competition. With a strong representation of 105 students, 71 qualified for this month’s Ohio DECA state competition by finishing in the top three in either the team events or individual events for their specific categories.

DECA is a national student organization for young people interested in careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship.

Due to COVID-19, this year’s virtual competition included a written test and a video submission of their role play presentations. Students were judged on the basis of their ability to develop and communicate sound, creative and thorough solutions to problem situations in a variety of industry categories.

“DECA has really developed me as a student and a person, as you learn many important life skills. I am thankful to have such a great and influential teacher to guide my fellow students and me in this competition,” said Matt Mori, Strongsville High School junior.

“DECA has continuously taught me valuable life and business skills that I can use in my future. I want to continue my education in business,” said senior Angelina DiCola.

“Thanks to DECA, I realized business is my passion before even entering college. As for DECA competitions, they have continuously taught me how to properly express myself and my ideas. I am very thankful for DECA and all it has taught me,” she said.

Jenna Naymik, marketing teacher and DECA adviser, said: “It has been such a tough year on students physically, mentally and emotionally. Although it wasn’t the same as in years past, this year’s DECA competition provided the students with a sense of normalcy.

“This event was something that the students could look forward to and became a sort of creative outlet for them to express themselves. Their excitement and dedication are reflected in the results of the competition. We are so proud of the resiliency of these students,” she said.

For a full listing of the qualifying students, go to www.strongnet.org.

Reduce hunger: Your Cuyahoga County Library is asking you to support the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s annual Harvest for Hunger campaign. You can reduce your library fines by up to $4 per visit — $1 per food item. Just donate much-needed food items at your local library branch during the month of March.

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank encourages the donation of items that are low in sodium and sugar. Damaged and/or expired food items and items in glass containers will not be accepted. They also cannot accept items that must be refrigerated.

Although the most-needed donation is cash, the following food items are essential to local hunger centers: 100 percent juice, canned or dried beans, canned or boxed entrees, canned fruits and vegetables, canned protein such as tuna or chicken, hot or cold cereal, low-sodium pasta sauce, peanut butter and whole-grain rice and pasta.

Visit the checkout desk at your local Cuyahoga County Public Library branch. Your cash donation will go directly to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Harvest for Hunger campaign.

Y-Haven performance: Cleveland Public Theatre presents “Crossroads to Hope: Scenes of Decision,” created and performed by the participants of Y-Haven, a branch of the Greater Cleveland YMCA, and directed by Raymond Bobgan.

This 60-minute live-streamed performance is free on CPT’s Facebook and YouTube pages at 7 p.m. March 19, 8 p.m. March 20 and 6 p.m. March 21.

What does it mean to choose change, growth and healing? “Crossroads to Hope: Scenes of Decision” is a series of short scenes, monologues and poems that share the experiences and imagination of of Y-Haven residents as they interrogate their pasts, meditate on their present and dream of their future selves.

Presented in a virtual setting, this performance is broadcast directly from the rooms of Y-Haven, offering an authenticity and sense of home.

The Y-Haven Theatre Project is a 22-year partnership between Cleveland Public Theatre and Y-Haven, a transitional housing and treatment facility for formerly homeless individuals. CPT collaborates with the clients of Y-Haven to create an original theater production that shares powerful stories of recovery and personal triumph.

This show was created by the artists of Y-Haven: Stacy Azbell, Joseph Fussell, Amir Muhammad, Robert Mueller, Earl Paulton and Karen Waters.

For the theater’s 2021 spring season lineup, go to www.cptonline.org.

Let the Strongsville community know what is going on with your organization, church, school, business or family. Email me at [email protected].

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