Madison Stockwell (12) and her twin sister Audrey Stockwell (12) compete at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida after making it through the state competition. The event took place April 26-29, 2025. “I am really excited to compete one last time, and I hope we make it to ICDC again,” Madison said.

The Ladue DECA team will head to the district competition all day Feb. 2, and the competition will take place at the Mid Rivers Mall in Saint Peters, Missouri.

Club president Madison Stockwell (12) has been part of DECA since her freshman year and takes the competition very seriously.

“Planning began over the summer when officers brainstormed ways to better prepare our members for competition and deepen their understanding of business,” Stockwell said. “We created Ladue DECA’s first Mock Competition, allowing students to practice role-plays and experience the competition format firsthand. We hosted regular meetings, speaker panels and skill-building events throughout the year to ensure our members were confident and prepared when Districts came along.”

Students who perform well at districts will have the chance to compete at the State Career Development Conference, SCDC, March 22-24, and this will take place at the Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. At districts, Stockwell will compete in the event called Project Management Sales, where she has worked with her sister to create a 20 page paper and presentation. 

“For this event we created a golf program for elementary school girls that we have hosted at Reed and Spoede,” Stockwell said. “We prepared by writing about our program and also practicing our presentation.”

The two will present their work in front of judges who will decide their placement against the competing students. DECA consists of competitive events, so officers have high expectations of its members. Stockwell helps support the newer participants, so the team can send as many people to SCDC as possible. 

“I have tried to be available for younger members so they can ask me questions,” Stockwell said. “I have also reviewed others’ written events and given them tips on how to be successful.”