The word DECA can be heard throughout the hallways, especially with state competitions just finished and nationals on the horizon. However, many people are unaware of what it takes to be a successful DECA student. They may not see the long, sleepless nights, the packed schedules, or the constant pressure.
Students arrive at school exhausted, hiding the fatigue and stress that come with preparing. Yet when competition day arrives, they have the chance to showcase their talents, prove their skills, and step into the world of business with confidence.
“I was kind of a mix of nervousness and excitement,” senior Ellie McCoy said. “Once you find out your role play and start prepping for it, there’s so much pressure that you kind of have to lock in and do well.”
With state competition that just occurred on March 22-24, the business classes truly took a step up and created a successful environment for students to prepare. If it’s the practice test, the role plays, or even the mock competition, students saw it all and knew what to expect for competition.
“They have a bunch of practice tests they can take on their own, and in class,” DECA sponsor Michael Freedline said. “And then, we do role play and mini competitions we do right before Christmas break. In which the alumni who were in DECA come back from college, and they’re our guest judges.”
Although the preparation for DECA can be intense, the competition is about more than just placing well. Through these practices, students gain confidence and real-world skills that can help them both in and out of the classroom.
“It just gives them confidence, too, that a lot of them are hesitant that they don’t want to do the competition because they’re nervous,” Freedline said. “But I’ve never had a student come back from districts saying it was horrible and they would never do it again.”
For students like McCoy, that confidence can turn into skills that last far beyond competition day. Along with building poise, DECA teaches students how to think quickly, communicate clearly, and handle pressure.
“DECA students just have a lot of communication skills and work hard under pressure,” McCoy said. “Not knowing what you’re going to do, and then only having 10 minutes to figure it all out, I think it’s a really good skill to learn, and it sets you up for success in the future.”
