Los Alamos High School DECA students from left, Jasmine Heft, Lance Metcalf, Presley Haight, Rocco Del Mauro, and Sawyer Brunette earned the American Marketing Association (AMA) ‘Associate in Marketing’ Certification. This is the first year that National DECA has partnered with the AMA to award the credential, said LAHS DECA Advisor Dr. Sharon Hurley. Courtesy/LAPS 

LAPS News:

Five Los Alamos High School DECA students earned the American Marketing Association (AMA) “Associate in Marketing” Certification.

Seniors Rocco Del Mauro, Jasmine Heft, and Lance Metcalf, junior Presley Haight, and sophomore Sawyer Brunette were awarded the certification after competing at the New Mexico State DECA conference in March.

 The certification is an industry recognized credential that signals to colleges and universities, and prospective employers, that the student has developed key marketing skills through their experiences in the DECA program. The certification is earned by the student scoring a 70 percent or higher on the DECA Marketing Cluster Exam at the State or International competitions.

“This is the first year that National DECA has partnered with the American Marketing Association to award the credential,” LAHS DECA Advisor Dr. Sharon Hurley said. “We are very pleased that five of our students qualified the first year this certification was available to DECA students. This certification provides the students with a competitive edge in university and scholarship applications, and in the job market.   DECA’s marketing pathway and competitive events programs provide our students with the education and experience necessary to succeed in business careers. Through these programs, we hope to increase the number of students earning the credential in future academic years.”

DECA members who qualify for the credential receive both a certificate and a digital badge that may be included on applications and resumes and placed on social media profiles.

About DECA:

DECA is an international organization dedicated to providing opportunities for students to participate in leadership training and career pathways conferences in the fields of marketing, finance, business management, and hospitality and tourism. Additionally, DECA provides students with experience in interviewing and networking with other students from around the globe who have similar career interests. DECA also offers merit-based scholarships for participating students.