Welcome to the world of DECA, a world for entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA is a career and technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in business. It is found in high schools and colleges around the globe.
University Academy has its own DECA club run by business teachers Mr. Sam Carr, Mr. Chris Bergida and eight student leaders. After the last staff leader, Mr. Matt Gandy who started the club in 2021, left, Mr. Carr and Mr. Bergida decided to join the DECA club as co-leaders.
Mr. Bergida said, “I started [helping with] DECA because of the positive impact it has on students who are interested in the business world.”
The student leaders include Co-CEOs Elysha Graves and Sparrow Leigh-Baker, Director of Community Service London Lona, Director of Marketing Alisa Garrett, Director of Competitive Events Taleah Eubanks, Director of Merchandise Leilani Tauheed, Director of Membership Ricky Barnes, and Director of Public Relations Ashlee Ford.
“I joined DECA because Mr. Gandy, my freshman entrepreneurship teacher, always used to talk about it and how fun it was,” Graves said. “Initially, I just joined to be involved and to have something to do. But over time, my love and passion for DECA grew, and now I’m the one trying to tell everyone about it and get people involved because it’s just that great.”
She finds being a co-CEO both rewarding and stressful. She said she is lucky she has Leigh-Baker as co-CEO, as well as a team of six other smart, capable members to help out.
An event that they have attended with the rest of the student leaders was the DECA Leadership Conference on Oct. 16 in St. Louis, Missouri.
This year, in addition to DECA competitions, UA’s DECA chapter is focusing on connecting with the community through various community service events. Graves said she is excited because the student leaders have a lot of big plans for their chapter, and they really want to take it to the next level.
A couple events coming up include a volunteering opportunity with The Village KC and raising funds/supplies for pets at Wayside Waifs. Currently, 43 students have signed up to participate in DECA so they can learn and help with projects like these.
“The DECA executive team has handled the large numbers in stride by creating mentorship groups,” Mr. Carr said. “This has helped connect students that would not have connected otherwise. I am excited about our executive team’s vision to leave a positive legacy at University Academy.”
Part of that legacy will come from the students’ performance at the three competitions during the spring semester. First one is the district competition in February, and next up is state in early April. Finally, any students who qualify will travel to Orlando, Florida, to compete in late April.
Mr. Carr said DECA is a safe place for students to get real life business experience before college and the real world. Anyone interested in joining this year or next year can contact him or Mr. Bergida for more info.
“Anyone on the fence about joining DECA absolutely should because it is one of the best programs to grow you professionally and strengthen skills in communication, problem solving, creativity, networking and more,” Graves said. “I am so glad that I joined, and I would encourage anyone with the opportunity to do the same.”
