LSHS DECA Program
Two weeks ago, our guest speakers were from the Lake Stevens High School DECA program. The current President and the incoming President gave our club an overview of their programs activities. In the beginning, DECA was known as Distributing Club's of America. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the world. Mattie and Andrew shared the programs requirements. They include a student store, marketing management and include college credits. The business mindset, advanced management and stock market involve over 400 hours. Competition is the key to DECA at the region, state, national and international level. There are lots of categories to choose from from financial advisement to virtual business and prize money is available. The competition always involves high energy, hard work and a keen and strong competitive nature.
DECA members attend conferences. Last year, the WRLC which is only held every four years was in Seattle. The best part of this conference is the networking that goes on with attendees from all over the world. DECA is all about team building. Business bounding is another activity for the incoming group leadership and Waterhouse is more geared towards marketing. Each year, alums return to help the current group in doing their activities/projects. A video is created each of year of their activities.
This year there were 164 members of DECA. The group has provided input into the DECA store as part of the high school rebuild project. There is a Digital Design classes. Five individuals are going to Nationals. Benefits to being involved in DECA are participating in one of the largest student organizations in the United States. DECA students learn business and marketing fundamentals, acquiring useful skills for employment. Listing DECA on your resume or job application is another benefit for future employment. Another factor mentioned earlier is the opportunity to participate in area, state and international DECA competitions and leadership conferences.