Skyview to be recognized at DECA’s International Career Development Conference

Salmon Creek — Students at Skyview High School will be recognized later this year in Nashville, Tenn., at DECA’s International Career Development Conference.

Students Kacey Irons, Jackson Guffey and Cody Thompson, along with their adviser Ed Kehdi were all part of the group that achieved Gold Level Certification from DECA’s School-based Enterprise Certification Program.

Only 316 school-based enterprise programs in the country have that level of certification. According to DECA Inc., a school-based enterprise is “an entrepreneurial operation in a school setting that provides goods and services to meet the needs of the market.”

Skyview’s SBE is called the MarketPlace, which sells clothing and school products to students, staff and parents. It has been in operation for the last 18 years, and it is the largest student store in the Vancouver School District.

Students also run a sticker shop, where they can customize car and wall stickers, and make T-shirts to order. Kehdi is selective in the students he hand-picks from his marketing classes to run the MarketPlace and sticker shop.

“They need to have an “A” grade in the class, in addition to possessing a great work ethic, personality, positive attitude and willingness to learn,” said Kehdi.

The students’ duties include operating a cash register, running daily reports, conducting inventory, placing orders, and being in charge of design and promotional materials, in addition to other responsibilities. Proceeds from the store help fund other student endeavors, including DECA competitions and leadership conferences.