Competing against 2,100 students from across the state, members of the Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School Distributive Education Club of America (D.E.C.A.) won five state trophies and 11 top ten gold medals in Rochester. With their success at the state level, five students qualified to compete at the national D.E.C.A. convention.

Congratulations go to the following award winners: Christina Tarentola: Wholesale Selling; Albert Miller: Career & Finance; Clifford Ohenberg: Mathematics; Justin Sklandaneck: Financial services; Matt Cooney: Restaurant Management; Georgette Spanjich: Job Interview; Trinh Nuygen: Restaurant Management; Amanda Miller: Public Speaking.