BISMARCK, ND-Thirteen members of the University of Mary chapter of Collegiate DECA, the international association of marketing students, took first-, second-, or third-place honors at the 2012 North Dakota Collegiate DECA Career Development Conference held in Fargo, ND, Feb.12-13. This qualifies them to compete at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference April 21-25, in Salt Lake City, UT.

U-Mary students qualifying for the Salt Lake competition are: Caroline Crary, Fargo, ND; Chase Dinga, Bismarck; Laura Doll, Bismarck; Kaitlyn Hardy, Fairview, MT; Krista Harju, Bismarck; Hannah Haynes, Plymouth, MN; Shae Helling, Alexander, ND; Bruce Klootwyk Jr., Bismarck; Stacey LaCrosse, Williston, ND; Stephanie Nalewaja, Miles City, MT; Josh Schuh, Bismarck; Thomas Vander Wal, Mandan, ND; and Tracey Weber, New Rockford, ND.

Also earning top spots in the Fargo DECA Competency Exam were Nalewaja (3rd Travel & Tourism) and Weber (3rd- Hotel & Lodging), as well as Levi Kinnischtzke of Bismarck (3rd-accounting). Doll, Hardy and Helling were Top 50% Competency Exam Award winners.

Additionally, Weber received the North Dakota Outstanding Service Award, and Crary was elected State Action Team vice president.

"I am so proud of all the students who competed and of those who stepped up to take on leadership roles for our campus organization and the state," says U-Mary DECA Advisor Karel Sovak. "Each year, we raise the bar on the competition, and our students always exceed expectations. It is a testament to their commitment to self-development at this level."

For more information about DECA at U-Mary, contact Karel Sovak, assistant professor, Gary Tharaldson School of Business, Business Administration Program, at (701) 355-8042 or ksovak@umary.edu. To arrange interviews, call Tom Ackerman, director of communications, at (701) 355-8013.