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Twins Abhay (left) and Akshay (right) made campus history at DECA’s 2025 International Career Development Conference (ICDC) by winning “DECA Glass,” the prestigious award given to the top three international competitors in each event.
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Before the Murthy brothers walked the international stage, senior Ashvita Suresh Kumar gave Abhay Murthy a “Thing 1” Dr. Seuss pin as a symbol of good luck.
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“We also know each other best out of any other person,” Akshay said. “So I can tell that when Abhay was unsure on what to say, I could come and correct him—or if I was unsure, he could recognize that and step in. Let’s say I was going too slow, he would tap me twice on the thigh and stuff like that.”
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Before taking the international stage, Akshay Murthy wore a matching “Thing 2” Dr. Seuss pin, a counterpart to his brother’s.
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Every year, Texas DECA gives all ICDC competitors an iconic cowboy hat as a keepsake. But this year, Abhay and Akshay walked away with more than just the hat—they walked out with 3rd place in the Travel and Tourism Team Decision-Making event.
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Advisors Andrew (left) and Demas (right) Lamas pose with Akshay (second to left) and Abhay (second to right) post-win.
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This year, DECA qualified a record-breaking 18 competitors for ICDC, not including five additional academy spots. After the victory, members rushed to congratulate the Murthy brothers and gather for group photos with them.
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To celebrate the Murthy brothers’ win, DECA Co-President Aashi Oswal baked them a chocolate cake with the word “glass” written on top. This cake was then cut by the twins and eaten at DECA banquet.
Spotlight hits the twins.
Thousands of eyes are watching them through screens.
Third place: Abhay and Akshay Murthy.
Screams erupt.
For the first time in campus history, two DECA students placed at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), held this year in Orlando, Florida.
Among more than 25,000 competitors from around the world, juniors Abhay and Akshay Murthy placed third in the Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making event—bringing home “DECA glass,” a top-three trophy never before won by campus’ DECA chapter.
“Abhay and Akshay made top 10 which was so exciting,” DECA advisor Demas Lamas said. “They got up on stage and they won top 3 which was DECA glass—which we’ve never had before—and we like lost it. We were like ‘ahhh!’ running to the stage. It was crazy!”
The Murthy brothers credit much of their success to their close relationship—one that goes beyond just being teammates. As twins who live, eat, study, and even play soccer together, their shared routine gave them a unique advantage.
“Because we were in the same house, we were able to practice role plays together, do tests together, and overall throughout the entire process we were able to talk to each other a lot more than say, if I was with a friend who lives in another house,” Abhay said. “Like for role plays, any night we were both free, we could call our dad and practice together.”
But their connection went deeper than shared habits. Years of growing up side-by-side gave them a kind of silent understanding that proved invaluable on stage.
“We also know each other best out of any other person,” Akshay said. “So I can tell that when Abhay was unsure on what to say, I could come and correct him—or if I was unsure, he could recognize that and step in. Let’s say I was going too slow, he would tap me twice on the thigh and stuff like that.”
