FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2026
Contact:
Lee Geffert
Richardson High School
Lee.Geffert@risd.org
Richardson HS DECA Recognized for Two Outstanding School-Based Enterprises
Richardson, TX – The PERCH and ROOST, the two school-based enterprises (SBEs) at Richardson High School, have once again achieved Gold-Level Re-Certification for the 2025–2026 school year. Both enterprises will be recognized and compete at DECA’s International Career Development Conference, April 25–28, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
This prestigious recognition places Richardson High School among 989 school-based enterprises worldwide earning Gold-Level distinction this year through DECA Inc.’s School-Based Enterprise Certification Program.
A school-based enterprise (SBE) is an entrepreneurial operation within a school setting that provides goods and services to meet real market needs. SBEs are fully managed and operated by students, serving as hands-on learning laboratories that integrate national curriculum standards in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. For more than four decades, DECA advisors have used SBEs as a powerful educational tool to provide realistic, practical experiences that reinforce classroom instruction, develop 21st-century skills, and prepare students for college and careers.
The Richardson High School DECA members who contributed to the certification process include:
- Kirah Geffert
- Jaylynn Haynes
- Isabella Norkowski
- Lilian Salgado
These students worked under the guidance of DECA Chapter Advisor Lee Geffert to complete the rigorous certification process.
The PERCH has operated successfully for 12 years, while the ROOST is celebrating 2 years of operation. Both enterprises are to be commended for sustaining high standards of excellence and growth.
“DECA’s School-Based Enterprise Certification Program is a rigorous process designed to help DECA members demonstrate their classroom learning in a practical learning laboratory, and then translate that into meaningful outcomes,” said Christopher Young, CAE, Chief Program Officer at DECA Inc. “These DECA members are practicing important workplace readiness skills while preparing for college and careers.”
DECA’s School-Based Enterprise Certification Program recognizes outstanding achievement and motivates SBEs to strive for excellence. Enterprises may earn bronze, silver, or gold-level certification. To qualify, SBEs must submit extensive documentation demonstrating how they apply marketing and retail standards in real-world operations. A national review committee evaluates submissions to determine certification levels.
The School-Based Enterprise program is sponsored by Otis Spunkmeyer Inc.
About DECA Inc.
DECA is a career and technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs with interests in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA enhances college and career readiness through co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, apply learning, connect to business, and promote competition.
DECA serves over 315,000 members in more than 4,000 high school and collegiate chapters across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Germany.
For more information about DECA, visit www.deca.org.
You can also read National DECA’s feature highlighting the 2026 Certified School-Based Enterprises here:
https://www.decadirect.org/articles/congratulations-to-decas-2026-certified-school-based-enterprises
