News

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (May 12, 2026) – Chelmsford High School DECA members attended the annual DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) that took place April 25-28 in Atlanta.

The DECA ICDC spotlights the organization’s top student performers from nearly all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Canada, Puerto Rico and Germany.

The event also highlights innovative business partnerships that empower these emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to tackle the challenges of an ever-evolving and increasingly complex economic landscape.

Nine Chelmsford students attended ICDC to participate in a variety of business competition areas and leadership academies.

The CHS participants and the events they competed in were:

• Senior Ethan Jiang, Professional Selling
• Seniors Nathan Moore and Miles Redding Cooper, Startup Business Plan
• Junior Molly Zeng, Financial Consulting
• Juniors Mark Agauby, Tommy Dunakin and Alex Kurth, International Business Plan
• Junior Nisha Manchi, Elevate Leadership Academy
• Freshman Riya Sarode, Ignite Leadership Academy

Zeng was recognized with a medallion for having the highest score on the test that every student in the Financial Consulting event took as part of the competition.

The trip was not all work for the students; when not competing, they were able to enjoy meeting other competitors, networking and trading pins.

The students also participated in the DECA-sponsored Rock the Block, where they were able to enjoy some local cuisine and music. In addition, they enjoyed an informal dinner with some other Massachusetts DECA students.

This year’s ICDC featured over 26,000 members, advisors and business professionals in attendance, making it the largest conference in DECA’s history.

In addition to career-based competition, DECA members engaged in leadership academies and networking opportunities with over 85 internationally recognized businesses.

For more information about DECA, visit www.deca.org.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.