Massachusetts State Action Team 67

 This year from February 27th to March 1st was the DECA states competition in the Seaport area in Boston. DECA is one of my favorite clubs that I do at SBRHS and I am excited to share my experience. In case you are unaware of what DECA is, DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America and it is aimed to prepare individuals in the fields of marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and hospitality. Every year you start off by competing in your district and if you qualify you move on to compete at states. There are a variety of ways in which you can compete. You could do a role play in which you have to use your problem solving skills in order to come up with solutions, you could do a written event, SBE, compete at quiz bowl (trivia), and many more things. This year my event was travel and tourism team decision making and It was a fun category to compete in. I love business, entertainment, and travel which is why I specifically chose this category. I had one role play on the first day and one role play on the second day. DECA has taught me so much and after doing these roleplays I have gained confidence, real world knowledge, and improved my communication skills. DECA has also allowed me to meet new people who align with my goals and interests. After doing DECA my passion for business has increased and as a junior I want to continue doing DECA in my senior year as well. But one of the most memorable parts of the trip was definitely meeting all the candidates who were running for state office. It was interesting hearing their ideas and I found it fascinating. I really liked how each of them were passionate about DECA and it made me feel like I was part of a good community. DECA really transforms you as a person and provides you with many opportunities. I can’t wait to see what ICDC brings this year! Since I am in leadership for my DECA club, a goal of mine next year will be to increase the number of participants in my DECA chapter and introduce DECA to new people. By joining DECA you are going to become part of our legacy. I asked all the state officers who have recently been selected for state action team 67 to tell me one piece of advice that they would give to a new DECA member and this is what they had to say. 

Ryan Latchford: If there was one piece of advice I could give to a new DECA member, it’d be to apply. Applying yourself is the key to success. If you ask any millionaire, billionaire, anyone, they will all say it just in different ways. Apply yourself as much as possible, take advantage of EVERY SINGLE opportunity that is presented to you. When I say take advantage of It I mean full advantage. Don’t just show up, show up having a goal in mind of what you want to learn and improve on. Show up ready to go. It doesn’t matter how well you do in competition. DECA’s purpose is to prepare high school students, not to compete them. Get EVERYTHING you can out of it, squeeze every last drop out of every opportunity, and you will look back 10 years from now and be satisfied with your decisions. 

Cristian Salvan: Confidence isn’t about never feeling nervous- it’s about competing forward, and preparation is key. Say yes to every chance, whether it’s competing, networking, or leading, because growth comes from experience. Don’t wait until you feel “ready”- jump in and learn as you go. Surround yourself with other driven people, and step outside your comfort zone, in DECA and in life, the biggest regrets come from the opportunities you don’t take- so go for it!

Kourosh Farboodmanesh: Make the most out of every opportunity, the four years of DECA in high school fly by! Don’t leave DECA with any regrets.

Mila Valentine: One piece of advice to new DECA members is truly make the most of your experience. Whether you join freshman year or senior year take it all in. Attend your chapter meetings, go to non competitive events, and study for your competition! By soaking it all up you are making the most of your DECA experience.  

Sam George: Even though DECA can feel like a lot as a first year, push yourself to go out of your comfort zone and talk to someone new! DECA is such an amazing community, so immerse yourself in it! For competition, always remember to smile and be yourself, because that’s what’s going to make you stand out!! The judges are always looking for people who are confident and personable. For me, I like to make jokes and always try to make the judge smile. 

Caroline Wang: The main thing for me has been to make connections with people. It’s rare to be in the same vicinity as so many like-minded high schoolers, so take full advantage of the opportunity. Take risks and put yourself out there and you’ll be surprised to see just how receptive people are. Competition is not everything and what you do outside of your events is just as, if not more, valuable to your growth. 

Sean Bailey: My advice would be that you get exactly what you put into DECA. For many, DECA can just be a fun club you join but if you put in the work and show your passion for business, that will reflect well in competition and allow you to go far! 

Caroline Curley: As a new DECA member, make sure to take full advantage of everything the organization has to offer! For instance, if you don’t qualify for states, reach out to your advisor or research other pathways to get there. Additionally, don’t miss out on the excellent networking opportunities at conferences. One of the best times to connect with others is while waiting for role-play prep. Everyone is feeling the same nerves, and every time I’ve started a conversation with someone nearby, I’ve never regretted it!

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Ryan Latchford