Bishop Tonnos C.S.S. Triumphs at DECA, Heads to Internationals
Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School highlighted its talent at the recent DECA Provincial Competition, with 14 students making their mark. Among them, 12 competed directly while 2 others participated in the Leadership Development Academy.
Principal Maria Calabrese remarked, "Dedicated, resilient, and committed. These qualities epitomize the efforts of our DECA team, comprised of exceptional students. Within the nurturing environment of the BT Catholic school community, particularly under the guidance of our teacher advisors, each student had the chance to shine and demonstrate their God-given talents in this demanding competition."
To secure their spots, students either submitted comprehensive business plans or excelled in case competitions and exams during Regionals held in November. Gelsie Riverso-Casella, Teacher Advisor, commended the dedication of all BT DECA Provincial Competitors, noting their relentless effort and commitment.
The highlight came with two teams clinching victories in written event categories, earning them a ticket to Anaheim, California for the International Level competition. Clara Fava and Robert Meneguzzo secured a spot in the top 6 of the Project Management Event in Career Development, while Nicholas Katsaros, John Pucci, and Matteo Volpini claimed a top 8 spot in Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan. Their outstanding achievements will see them present their plans at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) and represent Ontario DECA from April 25th to May 2nd. The entire BT community wishes them the best of luck in this incredible opportunity.
This year's international event holds special significance for Ontario DECA, as former BT student Joshua Brown serves as the President of the DECA Provincial Executive Team. Joshua's journey began at Bishop Tonnos, where he honed his skills as a member of the DECA Chapter and the Bishop Tonnos Business Club (BTBC). Now in his second year as a DECA Provincial Officer, Joshua's leadership underscores the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering success.