GCPS students secure top honors at state DECA conference

GCPS News

Apr 23 2026

Twenty-six Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) middle and high school students have earned the highest recognitions at the 2026 DECA State Career Development Conference.

“When students consistently earn top honors at the state level, it speaks volumes about the strength of our CTAE programs and the culture of excellence we've built here in GCPS," says Director of Academies and Career, Technical & Agricultural Education Dustin Davis-Austin. "Our DECA students don't just compete. They show up prepared, polished, and ready to lead."

DECA is an organization that serves middle, high school, and college students interested in business, marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It encourages students to engage in leadership opportunities through workshops, conferences, and professional development activities, making them college and career-ready.

“Year after year, these results reflect the commitment of our students and the exceptional educators and mentors who challenge them to go further," Davis-Austin continues. "Seeing students place first and second at the state level is a proud reminder that GCPS is developing the next generation of business and marketing leaders right here in our community."

School	Student	Results	Competition Category
North Gwinnett MS	Lanah Wahidi	2nd State	Principles of Marketing
Berkmar HS	Jesse Silva-Zavala	1st State	Start-up Business Plan
Grayson HS	Kennedy Johnson	2nd State	Hotel and Lodging Management
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology	Kaan Malaxa	1st State	Principles of Marketing
	Anaya Malhotra	2nd State	Human Resources Management
	Emanuel Million	1st State	Business Law and Ethics
	Yisheng Yao	1st State	Business Law and Ethics
	Riya Patel	1st State	Hotel and Lodging Management
	Ayan Sandybayev	1st State	Business Finance
	Kathryn Glaser	1st State	Marketing Communications
	Raghav Narayanan	2nd State	Finance Operations Research
North Gwinnett HS	Jolie Brusch	1st State	Integrated Marketing Campaign-Product
	Emma Calin	1st State	Professional Selling
	Yashal Fatima	1st State	Human Resources Management
	Neeral Gandhi	2nd State	Independent Business Plan
	Sahira Kuturu	1st State	Business Solutions Project
	Sadhana Singam	1st State	Business Solutions Project
	Lauren Small	2nd State	Retail Merchandising
	Katherina Traykova	1st State	Franchise Business Plan
Paul Duke STEM HS	Han Lam	1st State	Integrated Marketing Campaign - Service
	Gbemisola Olabode	1st State	Integrated Marketing Campaign - Service
	Elise Zheng	1st State	Integrated Marketing Campaign - Service
	Ziqian Jeremy Liang	1st State	Principles of Business Management and Administration
Peachtree Ridge HS	Annabel DeSouza	2nd State	International Business Plan
	Naga Medha Nagisetty	2nd State	International Business Plan
	Briyana Kochar	2nd State	Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series