Submitted Photo Rugby High School DECA students hold their awards they received at the 2026 State DECA Conference on Tuesday, March 3, in Bismarck. Photo by Craig Erickson, RHS DECA Adviser.

Ten Rugby High School DECA members who attended the 2026 State DECA Conference in Bismarck earlier this month qualified to compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, April 25-28. In its third year, Rugby finished fourth among 27 schools at the conference. More than 530 students throughout North Dakota competed in 53 events at the state conference.

Students receiving recognition at the state conference were:

Carter Teigen, Entrepreneurship Series-1st (ICDC Qualifier)

Abby Hager, Retail Merchandising-1st (ICDC Qualifier)

Madeline Hurly, Independent Business Plan-1st (ICDC Qualifier), Retail Merchandising-5th

Opal Hackel, Restaurant & Food Service Management-1st (ICDC Qualifier)

Abby Hager, Ava Jacobson and Brekkyn Thompson, Start-up Business Plan-1st (ICDC Qualifier)

Nathan Childress, Food Marketing-2nd (ICDC Qualifier)

Beth Schmaltz, Independent Business Plan-2nd (ICDC Qualifier), Apparel & Accessories Marketing-2nd Place (ICDC Qualifier)

Ivy Schell, Restaurant & Food Service Management-2nd (ICDC Qualifier)

Amber Houim, Quick Serve Restaurant Management-3rd (ICDC Qualifier)

Amber Hoium and Hannah Musser, Integrated Marketing Campaign – Event-4th

Ava Jacobson, Business Services Marketing-5th

Teigen received the RHS DECA Outstanding Senior Award and Harmel was recognized as Rugby DECA Outstanding New Member.

“Attending the State DECA Conference for the second time was, again, a great experience,” said Teigen, Rugby DECA president. “DECA competitive events are unique to any organization I’ve been a part of, and this unique format is very effective in helping students build skills in entrepreneurship, management, finance, and many other areas of interest.”

Rugby received the National Community Service Campaign Award as well as the N.D. Community Service Award for the DECA Food Drive conducted in November to benefit the Pierce County Food Pantry. Other RHS DECA members who competed at the State Conference include seniors Konnor Anderson, Bryant Bohl and Colton Ressler.

“Our students are amazing,” said Craig Erickson, Rugby DECA Adviser. “When our chapter was formedt two years ago, five students attended the state DECA conference. This year, six of our students were state champions in their respective events, and ten students qualified to compete at the international level. I’m so proud of my kids – what they’ve accomplished and the reputation our chapter has earned in such a short time is a testament to the capability, competitiveness and personal character of our students here at Rugby High School. I often tell my kids they have everything they need to succeed, and that they can compete with anyone, anywhere! The performance of my students in Marketing Education and DECA is just another example of what our kids are capable of accomplishing!”

Rugby DECA members focus on leadership development, community engagement, academic and occupational competition and social awareness. It was formed in the fall of 2023 when a Marketing Education Program was established at the school. It has tripled its membership, increasing from 12 to 40 members. In its second year of existence, Rugby is now the seventh largest chapter in the state, eclipsing long-established programs in Fargo, Minot, Bismarck and West Fargo.