Imagine a football team that gets the plays the day of the game.

That’s sort of like being a competitor in DECA.

Six Tomah High School took the DECA challenge Jan. 16 at regional competition in Menomonie and advanced to the DECA State Career Development Conference March 9-11 in Lake Geneva.

DECA students compete by taking two tests and preparing two role-plays. Students are given a business problem and assigned to formulate a solution.

“You can study for the tests by studying the old ones, but you really have to wing it,” said junior Jacob Zabinski, who teamed with senior Allison Coffey. They were tasked with developing a plan for a fast-food restaurant that had difficulty attracting employees. The two came up with an incentive program linked to positive customer comments.

Senior Brianna Hensley and her partner, senior David Schieler, were confronted with a situation that might sound familiar in Wisconsin Dells -- a motel owner with a new waterpark next door.

Their idea: Give guest passes to area attractions. Also, since a hill was included on the property, they decided to develop a ski area.

It was Hensley’s third DECA competition. She said the format doesn’t allow much time to develop a plan.

“We have 15 minutes to create it and determine who says what,” she said.

Having a partner helps.

“You get more ideas on the role play,” she said. “If you’re out there by yourself and go blank, you have nothing.”

DECA teaches students principles of career development and marketing, and the competitive events challenge students to apply what they’ve learned in business classes to practical business situations.

Coffey and Zabinski competed in the Quick Service Restaurant Management category. Coffey received three medals in four contests and first place overall. Zabinski received two medals.

Hensley and Schieler earned two medals in Hospitality and Tourism and were first overall.

Samantha Coffey received two medals in her category of Hotel and Lodging Management. Justin Derhammer also competed and will join the group in Lake Geneva.

Hensley, who will attend UW-Green Bay this fall, said the DECA competitions have developed her communication skills.

“It has made me much more outgoing,” Hensley said. “I used to be really quiet. Now I’m more comfortable talking to people I don’t know.”