Three Hermits to Represent the Prep on the International DECA Stage

St. Augustine Prep is proud to recognize three members of its DECA program who have earned the opportunity to compete at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta this spring.

Jacob Holzer and Elijah Ostrander will compete in Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making, while John Frangakis will compete in Principles of Finance, joining top qualifiers from around the world in one of DECA’s most prestigious annual events.

Earlier this week, the Prep community gathered during Mass to recognize and send off these students as they prepare to represent the Hermit Brotherhood on the international stage. The moment served as both a celebration of their accomplishment and a reflection of the support surrounding them.

DECA is a global organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Through competitive events—including case studies, presentations, and role-play scenarios—students apply classroom learning to real-world business challenges. Qualification for ICDC reflects a high level of achievement, preparation, and commitment.

The Prep was honored to welcome Entrepreneur-in-Residence Carmine Catalana ’76 P’07, along with the students' families, to mark this milestone. Their presence highlights the connection between the classroom, alumni network, and real-world application that defines the school’s Innovation, Experiential Learning & Entrepreneurship (IEE) program.

As they travel to Atlanta, we wish Jacob, Elijah, and John the very best as they compete among the top DECA students in the world.