State Action Team 80

Shyla Menon is a three year DECA member from Fairfax High School in Region 2. She is excited to serve as the Virginia DECA President and facilitate its growth. She previously served as the Region 2 Vice President on the Virginia DECA State Action team and on the Sophomore Council for Fairfax DECA. She has competed in Social Media, Automotive Services Marketing and Integrated Marketing Campaign Event. Her favorite DECA memory was meeting new people at the 2023 and 2024 International Career Development Conferences. Outside of DECA, she is a student ambassador for Save the Children Action Network, plays on the Fairfax Varsity Basketball team and loves listening to Taylor Swift.

Simone is a two year DECA member from Kempsville High School in Region 4, District 30. In her Junior year, she served as District 30 Vice President. She currently serves as her chapter’s President, where she works to plan fundraisers, delegate tasks, and lead chapter events. She has competed in Business Growth Plan at ICDC and Principles of Finance in SLC. Her favorite DECA event is the DECA International Career Development Conference, where she got to know like minded and driven students. Outside of DECA, she runs her non-profit organization, Resiliency Fund, and is involved in local politics, student council, and Scouts of America. She loves camping, biking, and all things outdoors. She is excited to see what Virginia DECA will achieve!

Nripesh Dahal is a three year DECA member from John Champe High School in Region 1. He previously served as the Vice President for his high school chapter. He competed in the Social Media category his Freshman year, Sports and Entertainment Marketing Operations Research his Sophomore year, and Start-Up Business Plan his Junior year. His favorite DECA memory was at ICDC his sophomore year where he was able to meet DECA members from around the world. Outside of DECA, he enjoys working on startups, playing basketball, and is a huge fan of Nav. He can’t wait to work with VA DECA members and make this an amazing year!

Ava Wilkins is a three-year DECA member from Grassfield High School in Region 4, District 27. She has previously served as the VP of Marketing for her chapter, where she helped develop a social media presence to keep in touch with all members, not just those who compete. She has competed in Selling, Accessories and Apparel Marketing, and Food Marketing at SLC. Her favorite DECA memory is from Grassfield’s Barbie Bingo Night, where her chapter raised significant funds for ICDC and positively impacted the community by inviting local nursing homes and students to come out for a night of Barbie-filled fun. Outside of DECA, Ava works for the Pacific Sun Salon as a social media manager. She is also a member of The Health and Medicine Club and Mu Alpha Theta, where she volunteers as a math tutor. In her free time, you can find her watching Impractical Jokers or listening to one of her favorite bands. She can’t wait to see VA DECA at SLC, 2025!

Edward Christopher is a three-year DECA member from Potomac Falls High School in Region 1. He previously served on the Advisory Board for Potomac Falls DECA and has competed at the District, State and International levels. He competed in Principles of Business Management his Freshman year and in the Professional Selling and Consulting Cluster his Sophomore and Junior Year. His favorite DECA memory was campaigning at the 2024 SLC and meeting people from around the country at 2023 ICDC. Outside of DECA, Edward pursues his passion of community service by volunteering in several non-profits. He serves as the Secretary of the Friends of Cascades Library, the Vice President of Fundraising for the Academies of Loudoun PTSA, and the Chair of Business Development for the Potomac Falls PTSO.  Outside of school, Edward is an avid traveler and reader.  Edward looks forward to working with the next generation of Leaders and Entrepreneurs!

Pranati Kudupudi is a three year DECA member from Briar Woods High School In Region 1. She previously served as the Vice President of Leadership for her high school chapter. She competed in Principles of Business Management and Administration her freshman year and Food marketing the following two years, which has been one of her favorite events so far. Her favorite DECA memory was at SLC her sophomore year where she met so many new people and built a stronger bond with her DECA family. Outside of DECA, Pranati is on her high school’s Varsity Gymnastics team and an active member in her community volunteering for P.A.S.T.A. In her free time, Pranati likes hiking, spending time with her friends, and having a movie night with her family. She cannot wait to see what Region 1, and VA DECA, will achieve this year!

Brendan Rockefeller is a two year DECA member from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Region 2. He was previously the Director of Competitive Events for Lake Braddock DECA, where he hosted a tailgate at the District Leadership Conference, held preparation sessions and doubled competitors from Lake Braddock for the State Leadership Conference, and the International Career Development Conference. He has previously placed at his District Leadership Conference in the Principles of Marketing event, and placed fifth atthe State Leadership Conference in  Professional Selling. His favorite DECA memory was networking and meeting people from all over the world at the 2023 International Career Development Conference. Outside of DECA, he is a member of the Varsity Swim and Dive Team, also swims for a club team, is on the Principal's Cabinet Steering Committee, is the Social Media Manager for the Junior Investors Club, and is a Bruin Ambassador. He is looking forward to raising awareness among chapters, and engaging with members!

Virginia Yergey is a three year DECA member from King George High School in Region 3, and District 19. She has served as her Chapter’s Vice President of Marketing. Virginia has placed at di! strict and state level in Job Interview, placing first and third. Her favorite DECA memory is of the 2023 State Leadership Conference where she served as a voting delegate and a finalist. There she networked and gained her love of DECA. Outside of DECA, Virginia is on her school's varsity cheer, varsity swim and varsity track teams. She is also a member of NJROTC and National Honor Society. She is ecstatic to work with Virginia DECA members and especially Region 3

Alli Swinson is a three-year DECA member from Patrick Henry High School-Hanover. She has previously served as the VP of Career Development for her chapter, where she helped encourage new DECA members to take a step into competition and help them prepare. She has been lucky enough to compete at both the state and national levels in Franchise Business Plan where she placed 6th in the state both at SLC 2023 and SLC 2024. Her favorite DECA memory is ICDC 2023, where she was not only able to meet new people from all around the world, but also spend time with the senior girls her chapter brought before they graduated. Outside of DECA, she is a member of Patrick Henry’s cheerleading, lacrosse, and gymnastics team, as well as a member of National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and BETA. When not working academically, Alli spends her time at her job as a server, with her friends and family, and her favorite furry friend Rosco. Alli cannot wait to see what Region 4, and all of Virginia DECA will accomplish this year!

Myah Crews is a three-year DECA member from Salem High School in Region 5, District 3. She previously served as the VP of Hospitality and the Executive Vice President for her chapter. She competed in Buying and Merchandising Business Operation Research in 2022-23, where she placed sixth in the state. She has also competed in Social Media, Retail Merchandising Series, Financial Consulting, and School-Based-Enterprise. Her favorite DECA memory is her first SLC in 2022 where she met so many new people and her chapter became a family. Outside of DECA, she plays varsity volleyball, coaches volleyball, is on the staff of the literary magazine, and a member of the national honor society. She is most excited to connect with Region 5 and lead them towards even greater success!