University High School students continue to make their mark in DECA through both competitive achievement and student leadership. This season, two students are pursuing unique paths that highlight the range of opportunities available through the program.
Sophomore Caden Warner competed in DECA’s Virtual Business Challenge, an online entrepreneurship competition held in two ten-day sessions each year, in October and January. The highly selective event draws teams from across a 13-state central U.S. region and requires sustained strategy, business planning, and rapid decision-making over multiple days. In the January session, Caden placed fourth out of 55 registered teams, and third in Indiana, an impressive finish in a field representing some of the strongest DECA programs in the Midwest. He is only the second University student to pursue this advanced competition format.
Senior Audrey Ko is charting a different but equally significant path. She is the first University student to run for a DECA state office, seeking the position of Region 2 President. Region 2 includes 13 counties stretching from Hamilton County north to Howard County and west to the Illinois border. Audrey will campaign online and in person during the state conference, where each chapter sends two voting delegates to participate in the election. In addition to her leadership bid, she is also competing in an individual event at the state competition. Her candidacy represents a meaningful step forward for University’s DECA chapter and reflects a growing culture of student voice and initiative within the organization.
Together, Caden and Audrey demonstrate the breadth of DECA participation at University High School, from advanced business simulation to student governance and leadership. Their efforts showcase not only competitive skill but also the confidence to pursue opportunities that extend beyond the traditional pathways.