There was a tangible buzz in the air, with friends reuniting from around the Sunshine State, rappers rhyming to a crowd of thousands, and students snapping photos in front of the step-and-repeat.  Florida DECA’s annual State Career Development Conference (CDC), which took place during the second weekend in March at Orlando’s Hilton Lake Buena Vista, was in full swing. 

DECA, short for Distributive Education Clubs of America, prepares students for careers in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship through a “combination of academic instruction, competitive events, and leadership development opportunities.”  Florida DECA’s CDC conference is a highlight for many DECA members, as it is much more than just a competition.  In fact, according to Florida DECA’s Executive President, Paulina Selicorni, the weekend is “about experiences that stay with you long after the conference ends.” She would know, having personally experienced DECA as a participant. “For me,” Selicorni explained, “DECA gave me my chosen family and a place where I truly belong.”  

The CDC weekend was packed with role-playing competitions, deepening personal connections, and a cause for celebration. Pine Crest’s Jeffrey Berinstein ’26, who placed second in the weekend’s Accounting Applications Series and qualified for the upcoming International Career Development Conference, reports feeling a sense of accomplishment after committing to a steady diet of hard work and mock role-plays over the past several months. “I felt very proud of my performance and was happy that my hard work paid off,” said Berinstein. Preparation, he explained, was a key factor in his success. “Through extensive studying at Competition University, I learned the necessary vocabulary and topics for the district test. I continued practicing many mock role-plays. These role-plays allowed me to practice my responses to the many different scenarios the judges might give me…and I was able to present to the judge in a 10-minute role-play with the information I had learned over the past few months.”

Pine Crest math teacher and DECA advisor Timothy Curran is known to inspire DECA members with his inspirational quotes and enthusiastic support.  During the competition weekend, Mr. Curran was busy guiding and prepping PC students, often heard encouraging PC participants to “Get the edge.”  Seven Pine Crest DECA members took note and edged out the competition, successfully snagging trophies or “glass,” as the DECA-ians say.  In addition to Berinstein, Asher Dobin ’27, Dashiel Berk ’26, Isaac Pack ’27, Connor Albanese ’27, and Ronen Elmaleh ’27 all took home the glass.