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Chardon High School Senior / Auburn Career Center MBA student Lazia Calhoun / photo: Pastor Photography
Auburn Marketing Team Clinches DECA State Qualification
Team Members Include Chardon High School Senior Lazia Calhoun
February 9, 2024 — Congratulations to Chardon High School senior Lazia Calhoun on earning a spot in the DECA state competition following her team's first-place finish in Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan at DECA Districts held on Jan. 25 at Mentor High School. Lazia is a second-year Auburn Career Center Marketing and Business Applications student whose instructors include Angela Nelson and Dawn Bubonic.
Lazia stated, "DECA districts was a whirlwind of strategy, competition, and unforgettable moments. It's where preparation meets opportunity, and you leave with lessons and friendships that last a lifetime."
"Caribou Headphones"
Together as part of the three-student team, Lazia created a product called "Caribou Headphones" that she describes as "not only beneficial for the consumer but for wildlife as well". The headphones are designed to help the user contend with weather conditions, cooling the user in hot temperatures and warming the wearer when exposed to the cold.
For the District competition, Lazia and her team prepared a brief concept paper and presented the "Caribou Headphones" innovation before a judge. Criteria include explaining the opportunity that exists in the marketplace and describing how the innovation will meet the needs of consumers.
State Conference
Next up, Lazia and her teammates will bring "Caribou Headphones" to the Hyatt Regency Columbus and Greater Columbus Convention Center March 8-9 to compete in DECA's state-tier of competition known as the Ohio Career Development Conference.
This event, which is the culmination of the DECA year, hosts 2,000 high school students, teacher-advisors, business professionals and alumni for competitive events, skill showcases, networking, and demonstration of career readiness.
Lazia's 4E's Plan
Looking ahead to next steps after high school graduation this spring, Lazia stated, "(I plan to) build a portfolio, network, continue learning, get licensed, and open up my own salon. I'm going to cosmetology school — either Paul Mitchell Hair & Beauty School or Aveda Brown Institute."
Go Hilltopper!
About DECA
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. As an integral part of the classroom curriculum, DECA's industry-validated competitive events are aligned with the National Curriculum Standards in the career clusters of marketing, business management and administration, finance, and hospitality and tourism. Each of DECA’s educational conferences connects with corporate professionals to engage students in learning industry-related trends and content. To learn more, visit ohiodeca.org
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