JSerra Catholic High School’s Business Magnet delivered an impressive performance at this year’s DECA's (Distributive Education Clubs of America) District Career Development Conference, with more than half of its competitors earning awards in a highly competitive field of nearly 1,000 students from across Southern California.

Hosted in January in Costa Mesa, the district conference brought together 46 DECA chapters and showcased the talents of aspiring business leaders. Twenty-nine JSerra students represented the Business Magnet, the result of weeks of focused preparation, weekly training sessions, and competitive practice events throughout the fall.

DECA offers students the opportunity to compete in realistic, career-focused business scenarios across six career clusters: Marketing, Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, Entrepreneurship, Personal Finance, and Business Administration & Management. Students may compete individually or in teams, including “Principles” events designed for first-year DECA members.

Competition consists of a rigorous 100-question multiple-choice exam and live role-play simulations. During role-plays, students assume professional roles such as business owners, marketing directors, or financial planners, preparing and presenting solutions to real-world business challenges before industry judges—all under tight time constraints.

Placing at the district level is a significant accomplishment, with many events drawing between 50 and 100 competitors. JSerra’s Business Magnet distinguished itself with an outstanding showing, earning multiple medals and finalist recognitions.

Medalists

• Karina Cabral — 3rd Place, Role-Play | Food Marketing Series

• Jacob Eshenko — 2nd Place, Exam | Personal Financial Literacy

• Natalia Makhail — 3rd Place, Role-Play | Retail Merchandising Series

• Emily Zimmerman — 3rd Place, Exam | Entrepreneurship Series

Overall Finalists

• Anson Albertson & Robert Thornton — 6th Place | Financial Services Team Decision Making

• Karina Cabral — 8th Place | Food Marketing Series

• Audrey Dowd — 5th Place | Apparel & Accessories Marketing

• Jacob Eshenko — 8th Place | Personal Financial Literacy

• Chloe Mouradian — 9th Place | Principles of Entrepreneurship

• Emily Zimmerman — 4th Place | Entrepreneurship Series

Finalists

• Anson Albertson & Robert Thornton — Financial Services Team Decision Making

• Taylor Alva & Charlotte Thornton — Marketing Management Team Decision Making

• Karina Cabral — Food Marketing Series

• Carys Doe — Principles of Hospitality & Tourism

• Audrey Dowd — Apparel & Accessories Marketing

• Jacob Eshenko — Personal Financial Literacy

• Caylin Fischer — Sports & Entertainment Marketing

• Avalon Galonsky — Principles of Business Management & Administration

• Celine Kim — Food Marketing Series

• Natalia Makhail — Retail Merchandising Series

• Chloe Mouradian — Principles of Entrepreneurship

• Venecia Pham — Business Services Marketing Series

• Emily Zimmerman — Entrepreneurship Series

The Business Magnet’s success is rooted in intentional preparation and leadership. DECA President Emily Zimmerman and Vice President Audrey Dowd led weekly exam and role-play workshops, while students also participated in regional “Mini-Conferences” hosted by fellow DECA chapters in Riverside and San Diego to sharpen their skills ahead of the official season.

Looking ahead, JSerra’s Business Magnet will compete at the California State Career Development Conference in Anaheim at the end of February, facing more than 80 chapters and approximately 3,000 students statewide. Top performers at the state level will advance to the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta this April, where more than 30,000 students from around the world will compete.

Through DECA, JSerra students gain hands-on experience, professional confidence, and a meaningful glimpse into future career pathways—another powerful example of the Business Magnet preparing students for excellence beyond the classroom.