Cape DECA students advance to international competition

Cape DECA students at the state conference are in back (l-r) Aalya Desai, Amarachi Paul, Misha Patel, Vaidehi Patel, Riti Patel, Addison Wood, Anika Sekhri, Kate Dowd, Ellen Ramsey, Cora Conway, Malie Godwin, Gabby Hamstead and Colleen Holohan. In front are Julian Gilliland, Kavin Prattipati, Aidan Markowitz, Shouta Sano, Caleb Marcus, William Greeff, Liam Ramsey, Isaac Stuart, Sullivan Naden, William Burke, Theo Noe Fellows, Alex Muncie, Ryan Flynn, Theo Hart, Austin Tyndall and Blake Fitzgerald. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Gathered with DECA President Allison Lynch, left, Innovation Plan Winners are (l-r) Kavin Prattipati, first place; Elizabeth Sprague, first place; and Amarachi Paul, second place.

Marketing Manager Team Decision Making winners shown are (l-r) Addison Breneman, second place; Addison Wood, third place; DECA President Allison Lynch; Riti Patel, third place; and Vaidehi Patel, third place.

April 25, 2026

Event Date:

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 04:15 pm

Gathered with DECA President Allison Lynch, left, Innovation Plan Winners are (l-r) Kavin Prattipati, first place; Elizabeth Sprague, first place; and Amarachi Paul, second place.

Cape Henlopen High School’s Distributive Education Clubs of America is celebrating an impressive showing at the Delaware DECA Career Development Conference, with student achievements recognized during a recent awards luncheon.

Cape DECA students demonstrated exceptional skill and professionalism across a wide range of competitive events, with many earning top-three finishes. As a result of their success, a total of 31 students qualified for the DECA International Career Development Conference that will take place at the end of April in Atlanta, Ga.

A group of 13 students will travel to Atlanta to represent both Cape Henlopen High School and the State of Delaware, competing in events including professional selling, individual and team role plays, and the innovation business plan competition.

In addition to their competitive success, Cape DECA students continue to show strong leadership at the state level. Elizabeth Sprague was re-elected as vice president of leadership for the Delaware DECA state office, and Kavin Prattipati was newly elected to join the state officer team as vice president of career development.

Students also earned recognition for their academic and professional achievements. Senior Addison Breneman and juniors Shouta Sano and William Greeff each earned the American Marketing Association’s Associate in Marketing Management Certificate, demonstrating mastery of comprehensive marketing knowledge and industry best practices.

Breneman was also recognized with the Emerging Leader Honor Award, which recognizes graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership and community involvement throughout their DECA experience. Recipients of this award have maintained a high grade point average, completed coursework in business-related fields, and actively participated in activities that foster leadership and professional growth.

Business and marketing teacher and DECA advisor Kristen Jones praised the students for their dedication and accomplishments. “Our students have worked incredibly hard to prepare for competition, and their success is a reflection of their commitment, professionalism and passion for business,” said Jones. “We are proud to see so many students advance to the international level, and represent Cape and Delaware with excellence.”

Gathered with DECA President Allison Lynch, left, Innovation Plan Winners are (l-r) Kavin Prattipati, first place; Elizabeth Sprague, first place; and Amarachi Paul, second place.