Students in Winchester and Frederick, Clarke and Fauquier County high schools are about to get some real life marketing experience.
More than 300 students have been preparing over the past several months for the role plays they're competing in on Thursday.
"I'm really excited to go back this year," said Sherando High School senior, McKenna Kendrick.
She's gearing up for her last DECA District 9 Competition. She placed first last year in apparel and accessories marketing and is hoping to qualify for the state competition again.
"And also, as the district president to be able to see all the other students that are competing and I'm exciting that DECA is like coming together in the district," said Kendrick.
Organizers want this to be as realistic as possible. The competition takes place in Apple Blossom Mall.
"Students go into the role play within the stores the judges are set up in different locations within the mall," said Jason Uhry.
Uhry is a marketing teacher at Sherando High School and is the DECA District 9 advisor.
While at the mall, the students face real-life situations when it comes to business, marketing and management.
"Last year one of my role plays was about like the security features the role play dealt with. There had been some theft and it was like what would you do to cut down on the theft. And what would you do if you found someone stealing the leather goods that you were selling?," said Kendrick.
"It could be from retail merchandising, sports entertaining marketing, marketing management. All relevant to the marketing curriculum that we happen to teach here in our school," said Uhry.
They've been preparing for the competition since the beginning of the year. Now, it's down to the big day.
"First of all good luck. Second, just relax be confident and remember everything your teachers and you have practiced," said Kendrick.
The competition starts at 10 a.m. and will go until about 4 p.m. Thursday at Apple Blossom Mall. The Mall will be open for regular business the entire day.
Those who place will qualify for the state competition in Virginia Beach in March.
