March 28, 2025 - Twenty-two students involved in business and health career programs at Comal ISD qualified for state competitions this spring showcasing their skills in areas such as marketing, finance, CPR and phlebotomy.
These competitions are available to students through CTE organizations known as DECA and HOSA.
This year, 19 students involved in DECA, which prepares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, qualified for state competition. Active on three Comal ISD high school campuses including Canyon, Davenport and Pieper, DECA offers almost 60 competitive events from which to choose, giving students hands-on opportunities to practice what they learn in class.
Similarly, HOSA promotes career opportunities in the health industry while providing a leadership development program for students enrolled in health science education courses. This year, three students have qualified for state-level competitions through HOSA which has active chapters at Canyon, Pieper and Smithson Valley high school campuses.
Here is a list of students who qualified for state-level competitions through DECA and HOSA.
DECA State Qualifiers from Canyon High School – Adviser Moses Molina
- Elyas Ahmadi, Principles of Finance
- Nathan Armour, Principles of Finance
- Cole Caraway, Entrepreneurship Series
- Raghavendra Akshayy Devarakonda, Accounting Application Series
- Pierce Hohensee, Principles of Business Management and Administration
- Alex Ivannikov, Principles of Management and Administration
- Lucas Yassa, Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling
- Akash Patel, Principles of Entrepreneurship
DECA State Qualifiers from Davenport High School – Adviser Kevin Rubel
- Abigail Atampi, Principles of Entrepreneurship
- Alexa Glebus, Marketing Management Team Decision Making
- Raquel Rendon, Marketing Management Team Decision Making
DECA State Qualifiers from Pieper High School - Advisers Kelly Braun, Carlos Bruce and Leslie Weil
- Tierney Fleming, Restaurant & Food Service Management
- Brad Gonzales, Buying and Merchandising Research
- Nate Greeman, Buying and Merchandising Research
- Holt Miller, Business Growth Plan – State finalist, four years in a row.
- Pragathi Saravana Sankar, Project Management
- Avery Taubert, Sports & Entertainment Management
- Sariah Ulshafer, Principles of Entrepreneurship
- Emma Wyatt, Sports & Entertainment Management
HOSA State Qualifiers from Pieper High School – Advisers Michael Herrera, Laura Martin, Allison Bradshaw and Bo Kilpatrick
- Aleksei Nazarov, Health Care Issues.
HOSA State Qualifiers from Smithson Valley High School – Advisers Melanie Perez and Jennifer Booth
- Holly Bullard, Life Skills (CPR & First Aid)
- Leah Romero, Phlebotomy
Photo descriptions
-Eight Canyon High School students involved in DECA qualified for state level competition and were recognized by the Comal ISD Board of Trustees on March 27.
-Three Davenport High School students involved in DECA qualified for state level competition and were recognized by the Comal ISD Board of Trustees on March 27.
-One Pieper High School student involved in HOSA qualified for state level competition and was recognized by the Comal ISD Board of Trustees on March 27.
-Two Smithson Valley High School students involved in HOSA qualified for state level competition and were recognized by the Comal ISD Board of Trustees on March 27.
-Comal ISD HOSA students.
-Canyon High School DECA state qualifiers.