Honors & Scholarships
Earn these exclusive awards.
Scholarships
North Dakota DECA offers scholarships to be presented at the State DECA Career Development Conference in February and March.
DECA's scholarship program provides over $300,000 in scholarships to high school and college DECA members at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) each year. Many corporate partners of DECA provide scholarships through the DECA scholarship program. DECA Inc. administers the program based on guidelines set by the donor. DECA scholarships are strictly merit based.
All senior students are encouraged to complete both the scholarship applications and the Marketing Education Honor Award.
EMERGING LEADER AWARD
The Emerging Leader Honor Award is presented both at the state and national level.The purpose of the North Dakota Marketing Emerging Leaders Award is to provide recognition of marketing education students for their academic excellence, leadership and involvement in DECA.
Qualifications
To receive the North Dakota Emerging Leaders Award a student must:
1. Be a National DECA member
2. Be a senior
3. Have an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for the seven previous semesters
(with 4.0 being equal to an A)
4. Participate in at least three of the areas listed under DECA activities, leadership and
community/school activities
Procedures
♦ Completed applications must be received by DECA Inc. no later than February 25, 2020.
♦ An application fee of $5.00 must accompany the application.
Recognition
♦ Recipients will be recognized during the State Career Development Conference. A certificate will be presented to each recipient.
North Dakota DECA Scholarship Application (Due February 25, 2020)
All scholarships are on one form. If you have already completed the individual scholarship applications, please submit those. Otherwise, use one form for all scholarships and submit with the appropriate requirements.
North Dakota Emerging Leaders Award Application
National DECA Emerging Leaders Award Application
2019-2020 Community Service Application
DECA Inc. Scholarship Awards - Collegiate
DECA Inc. Scholarship Awards - High School
Competitions and Scholarships for Entrepreneurs
Grasshopper Entrepreneur Scholarship Amount: $5,000 Application due date: October 1st
This $5,000 scholarship is open to young entrepreneurs in college who are prepared to write an essay based on a business topic. MORE INFO
Invensis Learning Amount: $500 Application due date: October 1st
Young entrepreneurs studying at a school in the USA, UK, and Australia can apply for the company’s Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Award. MORE INFO
National Federation of Independent Business Amount: $2,000 Application due date: October 1st
NFIB sponsors the annual Young Entrepreneurship awards which provides varied funding for college entrepreneurs. MORE INFO
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Amount: $2,500-$25,000 Application due date: October 1st
NTE offers a range of challenges and scholarships for emerging entrepreneurs looking to start their first businesses. MORE INFO
WSI Corporate Amount: Unspecified Application due date: October 1st
This international organization provides the Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Program for business owners aged 21 to 28. MORE INFO
Harvard Business School New Venture Competition Amount: $150,000 total split between all winners Application due date: October 1st
Students enrolled at Harvard University’s business school can apply for this annual business school competition. MORE INFO
MIT $100K Competition Amount: $100,000; individual awards vary Application due date: October 1st
Spread over three different competitions, entrepreneurs at MIT and in the Greater Boston area receive money to start their ventures. MORE INFO
Purdue University Competition Amount: $2,500 to $30,000 Application due date: October 1st
The Burton D. Morgan Business Plan Competition at Purdue provides $100,000 to emerging entrepreneurs each year. MORE INFO
Rice University Business Plan Competition Amount: Varies; starts at $10,000 Application due date: October 1st
RU provides more than $1.7 million each year in seed money through their business plan competition. MORE INFO
Tufts University Amount: $100,000; individual amounts vary Application due date: October 1st
The university’s Gordon Institute provides $100,000 each year in venture funding via their business competitions. MORE INFO
Awards & Recognition
Member of the Month
Member of the Month is an opportunity to recognize your members for their outstanding achievements. Winners of each month will receive recognition on our state-wide social media accounts and recognition at the state conference. Criteria will be determined by each chapter or chapter advisor. One member may be selected each month.
Advisors make these nominations.
Outstanding New Member of the Year
The emmbers who join DECA and jump in to experience every aspect of DECA and help others do the same receive this honor. Each Chapter's nomination are recognized at the State Leadership Conference and one member, chosen by a panel of judges, receives the award.
Advisors from each ND Chapter are able to nominate an Outstanding New Member.
Best Practices and Tips to Win Scholarship Contests

2018-2019 ND DECA Competitive Event Winners
ND Champions! Sharing news, information, and resources to make North Dakota DECA better! Congratulations to the top scorers from the North Dakota Career Development Conference! 150 judges from businesses across the state heard...
read more
Outstanding New Member Nomination
Use this form to nominate someone for the Outstanding New Member Award
read morePast Scholarship & Award Winners
Outstanding New Member State Honor Award
1998: Lori Pawlak, Richland County Vocational Center, Wahpeton
1999: Jared Bickler, Minot High School, Minot
2000: Staci Johnson, Fargo South High School, Fargo
2001: Jessica Diaz, North Valley Voc Tech Center, Grafton
2002: Lacy Mau, Minot High School, Minot
2003: Michelle Bailly, Fargo South High School, Fargo
2004: Kyleigh Monson, Bottineau High School
2005: Amy Auginbaugh, Fargo South High School
2006: Danny Weigel, Grand Forks Central High School
2007: Carly Fjeld, Minot High School, Minot
2008: Nick Nelson, Fargo North High School
2009: Nora Mihalick, Minot High School
2010: Courtney Jacobson, Fargo South High School
2011: Brandon Glimsdahl, Grand Forks Central
2012: Jordyn Peterson, Southeast Career and Technology Center, Oakes
2013: Breanna Theademan, Southeast Career and Technology Center, Oakes
2014: Ellen Trotter, Davies High School
2015: Savannah Kramlich, James Valley CTC, Jamestown
2016: Nathan Horner, Davies High School
2017: Carlie Bell, Wahpeton
2018: Claire Wagner, Southeast Career and Technology Center, Oakes
2019: Hayden Rostvet, Northern Cass
Taking You Higher Scholarship – Sponsored by Former State Officers
1999-2000 Colin Eide, West Fargo High School
2000-2001 Dan Walsh, Grand Forks Red River High School
2001-2002 Mike Deyle, Bismarck High School
2002-2003 Kate Anderson, Fargo South High School
2003-2004 Randi Vennes, Minot High School
2004-2005 Chelsey Schwartz, Fargo South High School
2005-2006 Kelly Brademeyer, SERCTC Oakes
2006-2007 Celina Poukka, SERCTC Oakes
2007-2008 Kim Zuroff, Bismarck Century
2008-2009 Tosha College, Minot High School
2009-2010 Evan Bong, Fargo South High School
2010-2011 Sierra Murphy, Minot High School
2011-2012 Morgan Thompson, Fargo North High School
2012-2013 Alyssa Moum, Minot High School
2013-2014 Cole Bachmeier, West Fargo
2014-2015: Ryan Bjerke, Fargo North
2015-2016: Christian Wedin, Grand Forks Central
2016-2017: Isabella Hansen, Oakes
2017-2018: Erik Anderson, Fargo North
2018-2019: Jack Boub, Fargo Davies
North Dakota DECA Scholarship—Tribute to Leonard Pokladnik
1999-2000 Jason Burckhard, Minot High School
2000-2001 Jenni Glick, Minot High School
2001-2002 Leif Mattson, Minot High School
2002-2003 Stephanie Sandstrom, Minot High School
2003-2004 Katie Froshour, Grand Forks Central
2004-2005 Leila Nazari, Fargo North High School
2005-2006 Rebecca Sinner, Central Cass High School
2006-2007 Bridget Nagel, Grand Forks Central
2007-2008 Hannah Larson, Minot High School
2008-2009 Brittany Walker, Red River High School
2009-2010 Maria Pitner, Minot High School
2010-2011 Rachel Nelson, Fargo South High School
2011-2012 Nicholas Reitan, West Fargo High School
2012-2013 Abbey Benson, Fargo South High School
2013-2014 Rachel Fix, Bottineau High School
2014-2015: Shelby Gilenski, SE Career and Technology Center, Oakes
2015-2016: Sam Novak, NVCTC Grafton
2016-2017: Brailyn Weber, Davies
2017-2018: Bailey Skjefte, SERCTC Oakes
2018-2019: Ameena Jovanovich, Fargo North
Oswald M. Hager Leadership Award (scholarship to student attending UND)
1980: Kevin Reisenauer
1981: Beverly Heinle
1982: Mark Lindblom
1983: Tammy Johnson Swick, Donna Silbernagel, Scott Shuler
1984: Kelly Kruise, Judy Schneider
1985: Tammie Hagness, Aaron Schultz
1986: Mitch Uslin
1987: Judy Arnason
1988: Colleen Skaaden
1989: Greg Anderson
1990: Sandy LeTexier
1991: Randy Dick, Tammy Staves
1992 Jeremy Berg
1993: Thom Lewis, Cory Koesterman 14
1994: Steven Shirley, Jackie Marquart, Christine Sorensen
1995: Darren Bullinger, Amy Tripp, Sara Steinkopf
1996: Tom Korsmo, Kelly Bullinger
1997: Amy Tripp, Joanna Wahl
1998: Mary Lindgren
1999: Angie Anderson, DeAnn Burckhard
2000: Jared Bickler, Julie Johnston
2001: Jenni Glick, Chad Wolf
2002: Leif Mattson, Brett Bergman
2003: Kate Anderson, Daniel Waind
2004: Marissa Taylor
2005: Brittany Johnston and Emily Metz
2006: Matt Bakke
2007: Kyhlie McLaughlin, Minot
2008: Bryn Seay
2009: Katie Steffan, Grand Forks Central
2010: Ashley Brey
2011: Jade Stanislowski, Red River
2012: None
2013: Mitch Hersch, Mandan
2014: Ashley VanderBush, Fargo South
2015: John Praska, SE CTC, Oakes
2016: Taylor Albrecht, Sheyenne High School
2017: Paige Rudnik, Grafton NVCTC
2018: None
Applebee’s DECA Scholarship
2005-2006: Jodi Olson, Grand Forks Central ($500)
2006-2007: Rachel Welk, Fargo North ($600)
2007-2008: Ben Berg, Minot High School ($900)
2008-2009: Ashley Delisle, Red River High School ($1,000)
2009-2010: Nick Nelson, Fargo North ($1,000)
2010-2011: Katelyn Larson, Minot High School ($1,000) and Brittany Diederich, Fargo South ($500)
2011-2012: Jenna Coghlan, Valley City High School ($1,000) and Callie Roth, Fargo North ($500)
2012-2013: Hannah Fishbeck, Mandan ($1,000) and Emily Borud, Minot ($500)
2013-2014: Austin Klapperich, Oakes ($1,000) and Addison Long, Fargo North ($500)
2014-2015: Anna Lawley, Fargo South ($1,000) and Lydia Hanna, Fargo South ($500)
2015-2016: Neha Patel, Fargo South ($1,000) and Nathan Glass, Mandan ($500)
2016-2017: Ashley Brandriet, Oakes ($1,000)
2017-2018: Mackenzie Korbel, Fargo South ($1,000) and Elisabeth Ehnert, Sheyenne ($500)
2018-2019: Kolten Reisenauer, Mandan and Jack Dorsher, Fargo North
North Dakota DECA Scholarship
2018-2019: Natlie Buck, Grand Forks Central
A+ Services and Dakota Impressions Landscaping and Design DECA Scholarship
2017-2018: Erik Anderson, Fargo North and Bailey Skjefte, Oakes ($500 scholarship each)
Oswald M. Hager Award of Excellence
1977: Karen Liere, UND Lake Region
1978: Todd Goschen, Fargo North High School
1979: Bruce Harmon, Fargo South High School
1980: Joel Lilliquist, Minot High School
1981: Ron Davy, Bismarck State College
1982: Les Hanson, Lake Area Vocational Center, Devils Lake
1983: Renee Wonsor, NDSU Bottineau
1984: Terry Schneider, Richland County Vocational Center, Wahpeton
1985: Orris Gulson, Grand Forks Central High School
1986: Steve Anderson, West Fargo High School
1987: Rod Roaldson, James Valley Vocational Center, Jamestown
1988: Kevin Reisenauer, Minot High School
1989: Garry Bullinger, Bottineau High School
1990: Larry Rehn, Bismarck High School
1991: Donna Fricke, Bismarck Century High School
1992: Neil Litton, Central Cass High School, Casselton
1993: Greg Anderson, Southeast Vocational Center, Oakes
1994: Kimberly Clark, North Valley Vocational Center, Grafton
1995: Dayle Dietz, North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton
1996: Keith Ronkowski, Grand Forks Red River High School
1997: Elsie Reichert, Dickinson High School 17
1998: Dr. James Navara, University of North Dakota
1999: Duane Pederson, North Dakota State College of Science
2000: none
2001: Sara Steinkopf, Fargo South High School
2002: Craig Erickson, Fargo North High School
2003: Tim Schilling, Valley City High School
2004: Bruce Harmon, Fargo South High School
2005: Keith Ronkowski, Grand Forks Red River High School
2006: Michelle Boyeff, Minot High School
2007: Steve Anderson, West Fargo High School
2008: Craig Erickson, Fargo North High School
2009: Larry Rehn, Bismarck High School
2010: Amber Aberle, Mandan High School
2011: Jason Holland, Davies High School
2012: Neil Litton, Central Cass High School
2013: None
2014: Leonard Kjelland, SE Region CTC
2015: Troy Olson, Century
2016: Kelli Sitzler-Erickson, Fargo North
2017: Nathan Simpson, Bottineau
2018: Don Fry, Mandan
2019: Randy Wilson, Mandan
NDSCS Scholarship
2017: Carter Kipp, Wahpeton High School
2018: None
Lake Region DECA Scholarship – must attend LRSC in Devils Lake
2003-2004 Ashley Miller, Minot High School
2004-2005 Kyle Schneider, Lake Area Career and Technology Center, Devils Lake
2005-2006 Eric Hove, Lake Area Career and Technology Center, Devils Lake
2006-2007 Not Awarded
2007-2008 Jordan Mertens, Lake Area Career and Technology Center, Devils Lake
2008-2009 Melanah Poole, Minot High School
2009-2010 Adam Kitchens, Lake Area Career and Technology Center, Devils Lake
2010-2011 Austin Luehring, Lake Area Career and Technology Center, Devils Lake
2012-2013 Brandon Tofte, Lake Area Career and Technology Center, Devils Lake
2013-2018 None Awarded
Minot State University Scholarship – must attend MSU in Minot
2012-2013 Kelsey Humphreys, Minot High School
2013-2014 Jordan Busch, Minot High School
2014-2015 Haddie Lucy, Minot High School
2015-2016 Krista Savage, Stanley High School
2016-2017 Makensey Arlien, Minot High School
2017-2018 None Awarded
2019 Kathleen Gush, Minot