Dartmouth High junior Anthony Root is a human resources professional whose most recent tasks involved surveying employees about a relocation and developing an emergency response plan for an entertainment venue…

...at least, that’s the role he took on at the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California, April 26-29.

Root qualified for the conference, along with peer Kenney Maxfield, by participating in the school’s DECA program, which is designed to prepare students for careers in business administration, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and hospitality and tourism.

It is the second time Root had qualified for the conference. While there, Root and 19 other teams completed a written test and participated in two HR-related, role-playing scenarios. Root took 13th place overall for his skills.

“My category is mostly common sense and thinking on my feet,” Root said. “What helps me in DECA is my people skills. I can really relate to people.”

Through DECA, students participate in workshops, and compete both locally and internationally. At the conference, Maxfield competed in a financial literacy program. Ari Silva and Kyle Noseworthy — two other DECA students who did not qualify for the California conference — were chosen to attend a leadership academy.

“This really helps develop leadership skills, collaboration as a team, and creativity. They are all important 21st century skills,” said Patricia Kane, Dartmouth High’s DECA advisor.

She explained that the high school’s program is small compared to other schools — it boasts only 50 students, 34 of whom qualified for the first district-level competition — but its effects are obvious.

“It really builds confidence too. I’ve had students who came in shy, quiet, and introverted, but after a few years in the program they’re more confident.”

Upon graduation, Root plans to study international business in college. Although he’s unsure exactly which area of business he wants to work in, he hopes college internships will help narrow down his choice.