GLHS DECA 2026 Marketing Students Advance

All 30 members of the Gahanna Lincoln High School DECA chapter have qualified to compete at the International DECA Conference after an impressive performance at the State DECA Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on February 17-18, 2026.

Gahanna students competed in two primary categories. In the Research category, students developed strategic plans to help local businesses implement or enhance their use of artificial intelligence. In the Entrepreneurship category, participants created business plans for launching a new business. During the conference, business professionals from across the state evaluated students as they presented and defended their projects.

During the school year, approximately 5,000 of Ohio DECA’s student members take part in the organization’s competitive events program. Gahanna Lincoln was the only DECA chapter in Ohio to qualify all its members for the International DECA Conference, which will take place in Atlanta, Georgia from April 26-29.

 Gahanna students receiving recognition at the state level were:

Business Services Research: 1st Place
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Evelyn Cahill
Parker Richard
Matthew Leeseberg

Hospitality & Tourism Research : 1st Place
Donatos
Brooke Thomas
Elizabeth Bratt
Mia Rowe

Buying & Merchandising Research: 1st Place
Hollister
Audrey Goh
Janessa Wu
Elly Monnig

Finance Research: 1st Place
Nationwide Insurance
Akhil Rao
Emma Mizer
Ava Miller

Sports & Entertainment Research: 2nd Place
Columbus Blue Jackets
Bryce Yoder
Jess Handmaker
Mackenzie Kemp

Hospitality & Tourism Research: 2nd Place
AEG Presents
Maya Phillips
Brenden Miller
Sydney Chilton

International Business: 3rd Place
ALO
Katie Donovan
Kendyl Cripe
Sergio Yamamoto

Finance Research: 3rd Place
Huntington Bank
Sarah Kitsmiller
Marinn Power
Owen Dominak

Buying & Merchandising Research: 4th Place
Marco's Pizza
Jaila Daniels
Austin Huang
Taton Schepman

Sports & Entertainment Research: 5th Place
Columbus Crew
Hudson Schulman
Owen Neary
Darek Rivera-Whitfield