OCHS Students Advance to DECA International Competition

Two seniors from Ocean City High School will represent their school at the prestigious global business conference in Atlanta.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:44am

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a neatly arranged collection of business-themed objects like a laptop, pen, notebook, and trophy, symbolizing the hard work and accomplishment of the OCHS students who qualified for the DECA international competition.The meticulous preparation and teamwork of two OCHS students earned them a spot at the prestigious DECA international business conference.Atlantic City Today

Ocean City High School seniors Leah Drewnowski and Dani Ritzel have qualified to compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta after a standout performance at the state-level competition. The pair developed a pitch deck for an Atlantic City music festival that impressed judges with its clarity, creativity, and professionalism.

Why it matters

DECA is a global organization that prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Qualifying for the international conference is a prestigious achievement that showcases the hard work and business acumen of these two OCHS students.

The details

Drewnowski and Ritzel will join 15,000 other top-performing DECA students at the four-day international conference in Atlanta from April 25-28. To qualify, the pair created a 20-slide pitch deck on the concept of an Atlantic City music festival designed to boost tourism and generate revenue. They also completed a 100-question exam assessing their understanding of key performance indicators. The team stood out among 70 competitors in the Integrated Marketing Campaign–Event category, reaching the final round and securing sixth place.

  • Drewnowski and Ritzel will compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta from April 25-28, 2026.
  • The pair qualified for the international competition after a standout performance at the state-level DECA competition earlier this year.

The players

Leah Drewnowski

An Ocean City High School senior who has been part of the DECA chapter for three years, competing in various events and serving as Vice President this year.

Dani Ritzel

An Ocean City High School senior who is in her first year with the DECA chapter, but quickly distinguished herself with a strong performance in the Business Law and Ethics event at the district level.

Maureen Merighi

The OCHS business teacher and DECA adviser who has worked closely with Drewnowski and Ritzel throughout the year to prepare them for competition.

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What they’re saying

“I have been impressed by their commitment to DECA, as well as the focus and growth they have demonstrated. Both Leah and Dani have shown strong leadership within the chapter by mentoring fellow members and sharing valuable tools and resources available through DECA.”

— Maureen Merighi, OCHS business teacher and DECA adviser

“It's Dani's first year. Her fresh perspective and creativity, combined with my experience, make us strong competitors.”

— Leah Drewnowski

“We look forward to competing against the best. We are also excited to attend leadership workshops and learn new business strategies that could help us in our careers.”

— Dani Ritzel

What’s next

Drewnowski and Ritzel will compete against top business students from around the world at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta from April 25-28, 2026.

The takeaway

The success of these two OCHS students at the state-level DECA competition and their qualification for the prestigious international conference demonstrates the high-caliber business skills and leadership potential of students in the school's DECA program. Their achievement highlights the value of extracurricular activities that provide real-world experience and prepare young people for future careers.