Over half of Tabor College’s 18 participants in the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference in San Francisco, Calif., returned home as finalists. Eleven received the honor and eight placed within the Top 10 of their categories.
Abram Friesen (JR, Lewiston, Mont.) and Alejandro Honrado (JR, Sanfelismo, Spain) received Tabor’s highest honors, placing first in Digital Marketing Strategies. Honrado was also recognized at the conference with the $1,000 Raising Canes Chicken Fingers Collegiate Scholarship.
“This year’s team was fantastic, and students grew professionally and personally in many respects,” said Melinda Rangel, Ed.D., Marvin Sellberg Professor of Business and Entrepreneurship. “Watching them make connections outside their normal friend groups, build a broader network, and work collaboratively is part of the reason I love DECA and think it’s important for every student.”
Tabor’s group of 18 nearly doubles the 10 students it took to nationals in 2024, showcasing the chapter’s growth. No matter the major, Rangel said she would encourage any current or prospective student to consider joining.
“I would love to see students from other disciplines consider joining DECA, and our business majors,” Rangel said. “The skills that DECA teaches are beyond just the business curriculum and include skills needed for every workplace including critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.”
Tabor’s 2025 National DECA competitors:
- Katariina Kaikkonen (tcs, Helsinki, Finland)
- Sasha Wasinger (tcs, Hays, Kan.)
- Sidartha Garcia (SR, Dallas, Texas)
- Alia Hirschi (SR, West Jordan, Utah)
- Gracie Kidd (SR, Galva, Kan.)
- Justin Morwood (SR, Cedar Park, Texas)
- Mallorie Pearson (SR, Salina, Kan.)
- Joao Pereira (SR, Lisbon, Portugal)
- Kalep Woods-Crane (SR, Simsboro, La.)
- Abram Friesen (JR, Lewiston, Mont.)
- Alejandro Honrado (JR, Sanfelismo, Spain)
- Ali House (JR, Clinton, Iowa)
- Alex Martin (JR, Lincoln, Neb.)
- Layne Clark (SO, Hillsboro, Kan.)
- Clemente Iturrate (SO, Santiago, Chile)
- Josiah Winans (SO, Fairview, Okla.)
- Ignacio Fabeiro (FR, Montevideo, Uruguay)
- Santino Tapia (FR, Panama City, Panama)
Tabor National DECA Finalists
Digital Marketing Strategies
(1st)
Abram Friesen
JR, Lewiston, Mont.
Alejandro Honrado
JR, Sanfelismo, Spain
Entrepreneurship-Grow Your Business
(3rd)
Clemente Iturrate
SO, Santiago, Chile
International Marketing
(Top 10)
Katariina Kaikkonen
tcs, Helsinki, Finland
Sasha Wasinger
tcs, Hays, Kan.
Business-to-Business Marketing
(Top 10)
Joao Pereira
SR, Lisbon, Portugal
Kalep Woods-Crane
SR, Simsboro, La.
Marketing Communications
(Top 10)
Abram Friesen
JR, Lewiston, Mont.
Alejandro Honrado
JR, Sanfelismo, Spain
Sales Management & Leadership
(Top 10)
Justin Morrow
SR, Cedar Park, Texas
Event Planning
(Finalist)
Gracie Kidd
SR, Galva, Kan.
Mallorie Pearson
SR, Salina, Kan.
Business Research
(Finalist)
Joao Pereira
SR, Lisbon, Portugal
Kalep Woods-Crane
SR, Simsboro, La.
Business Research
(Finalist)
Ignacio Fabeiro
FR, Montevideo, Uruguay
Tabor College Public Relations & Communications has a written branding guide detailing abbreviations, academic degree descriptions, and other policies. Visit www.tabor.edu/pr to learn more.
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Established in 1908 and located in Hillsboro, Kan., Tabor College is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.