Cross country, drama, and art club. All of these are extracurricular activities students choose to indulge themselves in. With so many options to choose from, it may not always be easy to decide. DECA is one of the many clubs students may be inclined to join.

“DECA is an engaging classroom experience that prepares students for their future as business leaders and consumers,” DECA sponsor Mrs. Robin Neff said. 

As part of the Marketing class, students must join DECA, where they will compete in various competitions. This is also an opportunity to gain experiences and life skills that could be useful in the future. Along with this, students can make long-lasting memories and discover new interests.

Many students did not know what to expect when joining DECA, but some, like sophomore Shauntavia Conway, have begun to enjoy the experience.

“We get to present, and I love talking in public so I’m really excited to do all that,” Conway said.

While other students, such as sophomore NinaAnnette Ndonwi, are excited for different reasons. The anticipation of participating in competitions is keeping her interested. 

“I look forward to the competitions,” Ndonwi said, “I want to see what it will look like, and how I will enjoy it!”

DECA competitions use different types of presentation skills. These include role plays, business/sales plans, and marketing campaigns. All of these require an extensive knowledge of marketing/business and public speaking. 

These experiences and skills along with the book knowledge, “help students grasp important business concepts, preparing them for college and future careers,” Neff said.

Mrs. Neff brings her previous experience to the table, which includes leadership and public speaking; she teaches shyer students to come out of their shells with her personality and attitude.

“I want to pass on that experience with DECA, which I chose over FCCLA,” Neff said, “I have real-world experience in business from my management, marketing, and human resources background at a Fortune 100 company.”

With help from Mrs. Neff, students learn valuable skills they can take with them after high school. Learning these skills in a school setting is crucial to future success in the workplace.

As life after high school is steadily approaching, many students need to prepare for the future ahead. That’s why they consider clubs like DECA, which can help enrich their learning and prepare for their future.