KU DECA Members Shine at Oregon DECA State Competition

Klamath Union High School DECA chapter earns top honors, including Chapter of the Year for 7th consecutive time.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Thirty members of the Klamath Union High School (KU) chapter of Oregon DECA competed at the annual association career development conference in Portland, with 11 students advancing to the international competition in Atlanta. The KU DECA chapter also earned the prestigious honor of Oregon DECA Chapter of the Year for the 7th consecutive year.

Why it matters

DECA provides high school students with opportunities to explore careers in business, finance, hospitality and marketing through competitive events and leadership development. KU's continued success at the state and national levels highlights the strength of its business education program and the dedication of its students.

The details

At the state competition, KU DECA members earned 1st place finishes in Community Awareness Project, Hospitality Services Team Decision, and Retail Merchandising. They also took home several 2nd place awards in other events. In addition, 9 other KU competitors placed in the top 20 overall in their respective events.

  • The Oregon DECA State Competition was held from February 22-24, 2026 in Portland.
  • The DECA International Career Development Conference will take place from April 25-28, 2026 in Atlanta.

The players

Klamath Union High School (KU)

A high school in Klamath Falls, Oregon that has a strong DECA chapter with a history of success at the state and national levels.

Joel McPherson

The chapter advisor for the KU DECA program.

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What they’re saying

“This year's state competition highlighted the incredible depth of talent within KU's business program. I am beyond proud of our students—not just for their competitive excellence, but for the integrity, preparation, and professionalism they showed at every level. They represented KU with confidence, character, and a persistent drive to succeed.”

— Joel McPherson, Chapter Advisor (mybasin.com)

What’s next

The 11 KU DECA students who placed 1st or 2nd at the state competition will advance to compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta from April 25-28, 2026.

The takeaway

KU DECA's continued success at the state and national levels demonstrates the strength of its business education program and the dedication of its students. The chapter's 7th consecutive Oregon DECA Chapter of the Year award is a testament to its well-rounded approach to developing future business leaders.