STUDENT PLACES IN NATIONAL COMPETITION

Matt Jones, a senior at Cape Girardeau Central High School, recently placed in a national DECA competition.

DECA is a high-school level marketing club with about 75 members at the Cape Area Vocational Technical School.

Jones, who entered in the retail merchandising competition, placed in the top 10 percent at the national contest in Orlando, Fla. He received a first place in the state contest. To qualify as a finalist, Jones had to take a written test and complete two role-playing situations related to retail management.

About 12,000 students competed in the event April 26 through May 1. There are 360,000 members of the organization in the United States, Canada, Guam and the Virgin Islands.