Shorecrest Students Compete in Business Competition

Shorecrest Upper School students recently put their business savvy to the test at a DECA district competition. DECA competitions connect students' learning to real-world business fields, following national standards in areas such as marketing, finance, and hospitality and tourism. Competitors were members of the School’s Business Competition Club. While the club includes more than 30 members, two teams and one solo competitor applied and qualified to compete at DECA districts, showcasing both preparation and quick thinking in real-world business scenarios.

Noah Eichenbaum ‘28 earned his spot at districts after scoring highly on a written exam. In a role play competition he was challenged to think on his feet. He responded to a judge’s prompt about a food truck seeking investors to expand either into an additional truck or a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Drawing on his Shorecrest theater background and math skills, Noah confidently organized his thoughts, defended his position, and adapted to questions in real time. He earned a third-place finish and will advance to the DECA State Competition this spring.

A team consisting of Ryan Jaffee ‘27, Rishi Patel ‘27 and Aadi Pudur ‘27 advanced to DECA districts after submitting an innovation plan slide deck for a new business concept called Pathfinders. Their idea reimagines travel planning by connecting visitors with local residents through an app that matches travelers’ interests with authentic, community-based experiences. The model promotes less touristy travel, supports local communities, requires less planning time, and offers a more affordable alternative to traditional tours or travel agencies.

These students demonstrated creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and persuasive communication - skills that extend far beyond competition day. Their work reflects the kind of real-world learning fostered through Shorecrest’s Ross Roeder Institute, where students apply academic knowledge to meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare them for future success.