Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) team has made school history with a groundbreaking performance at the 2025 DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC), held April 25–30 in Orlando, Florida. Competing among 26,000 students, educators, and business leaders from over 25 countries and all 50 U.S. states, 25 outstanding Ladue students proudly represented Missouri and demonstrated excellence on a global stage.

Under the expert guidance of DECA sponsor Jessica Kennedy, this year’s delegation was the largest and most successful in school history. Five students advanced as international finalists—the highest number ever for Ladue DECA—and additional honors celebrated student leadership, entrepreneurial initiative, and academic excellence.

International Finalists

• Cohen Kennedy (9th) – Top 18 in Project Management: Career Development
• Parker Margolis (9th) – Top 18 in Project Management: Career Development
  • Cohen and Parker launched Business Leaders Speak, a professional speaker series that brought industry leaders to Ladue Horton Watkins High School, inspiring over 100 students through real-world career insights. Their initiative included a 20-page report and a 15-minute live presentation to judges.
• Audrey Stockwell (11th) – Top 18 in Project Management: Sales Project
• Madison Stockwell (11th) – Top 18 in Project Management: Sales Project
  • The Stockwell sisters co-created Girls Fore Golf, a leadership and athletic development program for young women. Their project raised $2,000 to support DECA participation and business education access.
• Sohan Maganty (12th) – Top 20 in Quick Serve Restaurant Management
  • Sohan delivered an impressive performance, combining strong test scores with real-world marketing and management strategies in his role-play scenarios.

Individual Recognitions

• Kelly Bian (11th) – Top 10 Role Play Score in Accounting Applications
• Gia Grillo (12th) – Top 10 Test Score in Integrated Marketing Campaign: Product
• Sohan Maganty (12th) – Top 10 Role Play Score in Quick Serve Restaurant Management

Chapter Honors

• Gold Certification for the Ram Shack – The student-run school store received the highest possible rating for its operations and educational impact.
• Membership Campaign Award – Ladue DECA was recognized for chapter growth, engagement, and community outreach.

ICDC Delegates

This year’s ICDC delegates represented every grade level and showcased the best of Ladue’s entrepreneurial spirit and academic drive:

• Garon Agrawal (12), Ritwik Ashok (12), Adam Esayas (12), Gia Grillo (12), Sohan Maganty (12), Liam Pippine (12), Matteo Seifarth (12), Noah Temple (12), Alia Al Husseini (11), Kelly Bian (11), Cole Kaufman (11), Eva Kaul (11), Owen Prange (11), Jack Saleeby (11), Joie Sandler (11), Audrey Stockwell (11), Madison Stockwell (11), Emma Limpiphiphatn (10), Norah Martin (10), Annie Zhou (10), Jenna Awad (9), Regina Copeland (9), Cohen Kennedy (9), Parker Margolis (9), and Talia Poremba (9)

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Through competitive events and real-world learning experiences, Ladue DECA empowers students to lead in the global business community.

None of this would be possible without the dedication and leadership of Jessica Kennedy, who continues to inspire LHWHS students to pursue excellence, explore careers, and lead with confidence.

Congratulations to our outstanding students and Mrs. Kennedy for a phenomenal ICDC performance! We are so proud of how Ladue DECA represented Ladue Schools on the world stage.