Rory Bland and Sam Deutsch placed first in state in the DECA Sports and Entertainment Marketing category, competing against 35 other teams from various high schools throughout Missouri. Rory and Sam will join 24 others from Ladue Horton Watkins High School for the International DECA competition to be held in Orlando, Fla. in April. Rory is the son of Karen and Jeffrey Bland and attends Congregation Shaare Emeth. Sam is the son of Lisa and Jim Deutsch and attends B’nai Amoona. DECA is an association offering a variety of competitive events that encourages the development of business and leadership skills.