A-P students earn first at state DECA, advance to international conference

Emma Haan and Ellie Reints win community giving project category, plan murder mystery event

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Aplington-Parkersburg high school students Emma Haan and Ellie Reints finished in first place in the community giving project category at the Iowa DECA State Career Development Conference. Their winning project involved partnering with the Parkersburg Historical Society to host a murder mystery theater event at the historic Wolf Mansion. The students will now have the opportunity to present their project at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta.

Why it matters

DECA prepares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management, and the A-P chapter is helping build critical thinking and communication skills for its members. The students' winning project also promotes the Parkersburg community and its historic landmarks.

The details

Haan and Reints submitted a written proposal outlining their plan for the murder mystery event at the Wolf Mansion, then presented it to judges at the state conference. The judge praised the project as unique and enjoyable. The event is intended to promote the historic home and give back to the Parkersburg community.

  • The Iowa DECA State Career Development Conference was held on February 15, 2026.
  • The murder mystery event at the Wolf Mansion in Parkersburg will be held on March 28, 2026.
  • Haan and Reints will present their project at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on April 25-28, 2026.

The players

Emma Haan

An Aplington-Parkersburg high school student who, along with Ellie Reints, won the community giving project category at the Iowa DECA State Career Development Conference.

Ellie Reints

An Aplington-Parkersburg high school student who, along with Emma Haan, won the community giving project category at the Iowa DECA State Career Development Conference.

Stacy Ascher

The DECA advisor at Aplington-Parkersburg high school who shared feedback from the state judges on the students' winning project.

Parkersburg Historical Society

The organization that Haan and Reints partnered with to develop their winning DECA project, a murder mystery event at the historic Wolf Mansion.

Wolf Mansion

A historic home in Parkersburg, Iowa that will host the murder mystery event planned by the winning DECA students.

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What they’re saying

“That judge really spoke highly of the project, thought it was so unique and really enjoyed it. That was the feedback that I got directly from the girls.”

— Stacy Ascher, DECA Advisor (radioonthego.com)

“The whole part of the community giving too is, to promote the great historical home that we have here in the Parkersburg community. Giving back, in that way as well.”

— Stacy Ascher, DECA Advisor (radioonthego.com)

“The kids have really grown into their own, as far as just thinking of different ways to solve problems, critical thinking and communicating. They are really building a unique niche within Aplington-Parkersburg, getting this chapter up and running. I couldn't be more proud of the students, how they've kind of gone and tried something new.”

— Stacy Ascher, DECA Advisor (radioonthego.com)

What’s next

Haan and Reints will have the opportunity to present their project at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on April 25-28, 2026.

The takeaway

The winning DECA project by Aplington-Parkersburg students demonstrates how extracurricular activities can help develop critical thinking, communication, and entrepreneurial skills while also giving back to the local community.