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Students Secure 1st Place in the World at Elite Business Competition

Students Secure 1st Place in the World at Elite Business Competition

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The Business & Entrepreneurship program at American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, achieved the highest level of international distinction at the 2026 DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Facing a massive global field of 30,000 elite competitors, the Palm Beach delegation bypassed veteran public and private programs across the region to secure a First Place World Championship. In just its third year of existence, this young chapter has established an efficient and highly successful competitive model, transforming from a newly formed club into the home of international business champions.

A Historic Victory on the World Stage

The international conference brings together the most capable student minds in business, finance, hospitality, and entrepreneurship, with each individual competitive category featuring approximately 240 top-tier qualifiers from across the globe. To earn a number one ranking in the world requires outperforming thousands of competitors across multiple rounds of analytical testing and strategic presentations.

Led by advisor Mrs. Heather Wimberley and supported by chaperones Dror Niv and Heather Levy, the Palm Beach cohort sent 25 participants to the conference, ultimately climbing to the absolute top of the global stage in philanthropic business strategy and corporate planning.

2026 International DECA Champions and Finalists

First Place in the World – International Champions

  • Gabriella Caridi, Marie Taudin & Braydon Lee – Social Impact Leaders of Tomorrow Challenge
    • Awarded the number one ranking globally for designing and executing a campaign that raised the highest amount of capital in the world in support of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Top 10 Finalists in the World

  • Ella Shuter & Kasey Moore – Independent Business Plan

Top 20 Finalists in the World

  • Rachel Miller – Principles of Finance

International Testing Medal (Top 20 Globally)

  • Ryan Morris – Sports & Entertainment Marketing Team Decision-Making Exam

Institutional Excellence and Future Growth

This global triumph marks a defining moment for the Palm Beach campus, proving that our targeted pre-professional curriculum can produce world-class results in a remarkably short timeframe. By claiming a number one global ranking alongside multiple top-20 placements, our students have set a new benchmark for corporate planning and philanthropic execution. Moving forward, the chapter will continue to expand its specialized coaching and strategic preparation resources. With a proven world championship foundation already established, Palm Beach business students are exceptionally positioned to maintain this elite international trajectory and lead the next generation of global corporate and community leaders.