Moravian Academy Shines at the 79th Annual ICDC Conference: Top International Honors Earned by Student Entrepreneurs

Fourteen Moravian Academy DECA students traveled to Orlando, Florida, to participate in the 79th Annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC), where they represented the school on a global stage. These students qualified for the international competition by earning top placements at the state level in February.

This year’s ICDC set a new record, hosting over 26,000 student competitors from around the world—making it the most competitive year to date.

Throughout the event, students competed in a variety of business and entrepreneurship categories such as Hospitality and Tourism, Start-Up Business Plan, Franchise Business Plan, Financial Literacy, and Financial Services Team Decision Making. Competitions included rigorous presentations and cluster exams, all evaluated against detailed rubrics measuring students’ command of specific performance indicators and subject mastery.

Qualifying for ICDC is no small feat. Students dedicate countless hours to crafting detailed business plans, visual presentations, and strategic pitches. For those competing in written events—some as long as 20 pages—strict submission guidelines must also be met, further showcasing their commitment and professionalism.

A special congratulations goes to Aveer Chadha, Nikhil Skandan, and Qayn Jaffer, who not only reached the final round in the Start-Up Business Plan category—placing in the top 10 out of hundreds—but also won first place internationally, taking home the coveted DECA Glass award for their project Solvis. This achievement marks a historic moment for Moravian Academy and a lifetime honor for these outstanding students. 

While the competition is intense, there’s always room for celebration. Students joined thousands of fellow DECA participants for a private night at Universal Studios, enjoying some well-earned fun after a whirlwind of high-level competition.

We are incredibly proud of all our DECA students. Qualifying for ICDC is a prestigious accomplishment in itself, and their success is a testament to their dedication, talent, and passion for business leadership. Congratulations to each of them on this remarkable achievement!