KWU DECA Dominates 2026 State Competition

Kansas Wesleyans DECA State Win

Kansas Wesleyan University’s DECA team delivered a dominant performance at the 2026 State Competition, with seven of its nine competitors securing first-place finishes. Competing in a field of 133 students from institutions including the University of Kansas (KU), Wichita State (WSU), and the University of Nebraska, KWU students placed in every single event they entered.

Recognition in the Capitol used as motivation

This victory follows a formal recognition at the Kansas State Capitol in January. Representative Chauncey honored the team on the House floor, presenting six reigning international champions with official certificates for their success at the previous year’s international conference in San Francisco. KWU DECA would like to use this success and bring it into the new year. 

“Getting recognized at the Capitol in January was an incredible opportunity for our team, and it made our success at state even more meaningful.” said Courtney Auld, a team leader and State Champion. “Winning three of my events while competing against larger schools was incredibly rewarding and showed that our preparation and hard work truly paid off. Now we get to build off of this success for ICDC.”

For Auld and her teammates, the excitement of the Capitol visit and the dominance at the state level are more than just awards, they are the fuel driving the team toward the 2026 International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Louisville.

KWU’s results at the Feb. 27 state meet (Hillsboro, Kan.): 

Prepared Events:

1st place – Advertising Campaign – Paige Chauncey and Shelby Davidson

1st place – Business Research – Oriana Botz, Madelene McVey, and Emily Stamper

1st place – Digital Marketing Strategies – Courtney Auld and Jordan Grimes

2nd place – Professional Sales – Michael Purkey

3rd place – Professional Sales – Brodie Bradshaw

Team Events:

1st place – Business- to-Business Marketing – Courtney Auld and Jordan Grimes

1st place – Entertainment Marketing – Courtney Auld and Jordan Grimes

1st place – International Marketing – Oriana Botz and Madelene McVey

2nd place – Event Planning – Shelby Davidson and Emily Stamper

2nd place – Business Ethics – Brodie Bradshaw and Paige Chauncey

2nd place – Sports Marketing – Brodie Bradshaw and Paige Chauncey

3rd place – Marketing Communication – Oriana Botz and Madelene McVey

About DECA

DECA is an international organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. During competitions, students are tested through industry-specific exams and “case study” scenarios, where they have as little as 30 minutes to analyze a complex business problem and build a strategic solution. They then pitch their ideas in a high-pressure, “Shark Tank” style presentation to a panel of industry professionals. Whether solving an immediate corporate crisis or defending a months-long research project, DECA members develop the elite communication and analytical skills needed to lead in the modern business world.