Congratulations to the 2026 Marriott Foundation ICDC Travel Scholarship Recipients

Apr 7, 2026

Through a generous contribution from the J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation, DECA is pleased to provide travel scholarships to high school DECA members to participate in the 2026 International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, GA.

Winners applied for scholarships based on their qualifying to compete in a hospitality event at ICDC and need for financial assistance.  

The following is a complete list of the winners:

  • Joseph Chong - Washington High School, CA
  • Dylan Davison - Landstown High School, VA
  • Brenn Diplock - Summit High School, TN
  • Sophia Hughes - Badger High School, WI
  • Maggie Kamwendo - Coon Rapids High School, MN
  • Vicky Lin - Wilson Central High School, TN
  • Charlotte McDonough - Alonso High School, FL
  • Hisham Muhammad Yousaf - Elsie Macgill Secondary School, ON
  • Tran Nguyen - Apex Friendship High School, NC
  • Margaret "Gretchen" Parrott Reid - Lake Braddock Secondary School, VA
  • Oliver Riehl - Southeast Valley High School, IA
  • Diego Sabando - Morris County School of Technology, NJ
  • Katie Smith - Tooele High School, UT
  • Sophia Sparks - Farmington High School, UT
  • Noah Thielen - Kauai High School, HI

Congratulations to all scholarship recipients and best of luck to the DECA members participating at ICDC!


The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation was established in 1965 with the purpose of giving back to the community. In 1985, shortly after the passing of J. Willard Marriott, Sr., the Foundation began actively making grants, led by Alice Sheets Marriott. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting exceptional nonprofit organizations that provide civic and human services, foster educational achievement, expand opportunities for youth and adults, develop the next generation of hospitality leaders and lead innovation in health and medicine. The Marriott Foundation is guided by a board of Marriott family members and a small, professional staff, working together to carry on the values and legacy of J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott.

Questions?

Whitney Milbourne
Grants + Volunteer Manager
whitney@deca.org

Whitney Milbourne is DECA's grants and volunteer manager. In this role, she manages a portfolio of corporate grants to enhance engagement at all levels within DECA. She also leads our volunteer recruitment and engagement efforts for both virtual and in-person conferences and events.

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