DECA is a valuable club in so many ways. It allows the student to have a lot of fun with their peers, learn about marketing and business, and practice the skills they learn in realistic settings. DECA has benefitted me in so many ways, giving me knowledge and confidence in the area of business and giving me a step up for the next phase of my life." Curtis Blaine '08 Myers Park High School Charlotte, NC I learned not to be nervous in front of people, and to have confidence in yourself. I never used to be able to talk in front of others, and now i can talk in front of almost any crowd.Jolene Obrion Secretary/ TreasurerMATC TruaxMarketing Club Darryl Bellamy I think that this sounds like a great project. I have been a member of a Texas Chapter, Temple College DEX, the college division of DECA, for the past three years. I am not a traditional college student. I started college at 26 years of age. Even though I was older than most of my classmates I was very shy and I hated standing in front of them presenting class assignments. Someone told me about joining DEX and at first I was a unsure. But I jumped in with both feet and I can tell you that joining this organization has taught me to stand up and be heard. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. I have become a bright lite among my fellow students. My professors would tell you that DEX is the reason for the changes that they see in me everyday. Also being an active member of this organization has opened many doors for me in my professional life. This semester I applied for a job with the college. I was prepared when they chose to do my interview as a panel. I've competed with DEX for the past three years so the panel didn't phase me, it helped me get the job. They could see that I could conduct myself professionally while under pressure. I now spend my days helping students achieve their goals and begin their college careers. And that is what DECA has done for me. I hope your future endeavors are all as great as mine have been. Suzanne Brunson TEAMS Coordinator Temple College Well, DECA has benefited my life in ways i never imagined. i has definently helped me get over my shyness and insecurities of public speaking. In addition, it has prepared me for the "real world" like telephone etiquette, interviewing skills, and just general business-like behaviors. I am so glad I discovered and joined the best kept secret around my school. It has shown me the world and has given me experiences to travel the world and learn to interact professionally with my peers while having the time of my life. I hope that's long enough, thanks. Kate Yang Dear DECA Member: I am extremely pleased that you have taken this opportunity to promote andinstitute the developmental progress that DECA allows. I know that DECA hasprovided me with a sense of confidence, professionalism, and perhaps moreimportantly pride in my work, that I had not had prior to my participation.DECA, like you said, is marketing education, and helps develop leaders invarious aspects of the economical sectors... Advertising, finance,management, accounting, marketing, etc... I would not have been able toobtain the education I am currently experiencing at Northwood University ifnot for my involvement with this organization, and for that I am extremelythankful. I wish you the best of luck with your chapter, your project, andyour competition this year... and remember that there are numerousleadership opportunities that you can take advantage of. For instance,state office. Being in DECA is something that has changed my life, mypassion, and my perception of success. Know that we as your State Action Team are here to help you Make it Happen! Joshua ShankleTexas DECA State Vice President MR. Bellamy, Wow you have a big project ahead of you. I graduated High School in 2002. I was a member of DECA for all 4 years of High School. In 10th grade I was my schools Vice President for DECA, in the 11th and 12th grade I was the chapters President. In 11th Grade I was the State Recorder and in 12th grade I was DECA president for the state of Delaware. DECA has taught me a lot of skills that I still use. I attended three national conferences and gained a whole lot of knowledge for each. Whether I was competing in an event or just talking to some of the various vendors, professionals, and entrepreneurs there, I learned a lot. At one conference I got to speak to Otis Spunkmeyer and he told us about how he started the cookie business he runs today. DECA gives you the keys you need to unlock many doors of success in the Marketing world. It also prepares you for public speaking because every year we had Legislation Appreciation Day where we went to the Legislation and thank them for there support publicly. It taught me how to prepare a speech, how to talk with proficiency and eloquence. I was also given a full scholarship to Johnson and Wales University, ( I did not go). If I wanted a college education from that institute, DECA opened the door for me. Shortly after high school I decided to join the army to help out with the global war on terrorism, however my job in the army is Logistics. I work in a Warehouse, and now more than ever am I using the basic marketing and management skills that I learned in DECA. I have to manage my time,plus the time of my soldiers. I use my marketing skills to acquire different vendors in order to get certain supplies needed for the warehouse. For example I order tools for mechanics. There are so many different companies that sell tools i.e snap on, craftsman, ... I see who has the better product, how much money I can spend, how soon I can get the supplies and much more. DECA is a very beneficial program and it's a great asset to any school. If you need any additional informatin feel free to e-mail me. SGT Zerphlee Spruill (Watson) United States Army 2001-2002 Delaware DECA State President Sounds like you are a focused and dedicated young man. Here is my story about how important I feel DECA is to high school students: I was involved in DECA when I was in high school way back in 1973-1977. I worked after school and participated in the co-op program. At the time it was just because I really wanted to go to college and my parents couldn't afford to help me so I started working and saving in hopes that my dream could be realized. I found myself learning so much and even though my dream had been to go to law school I ended up getting a degree in Human Resource Management and did Training and Public Relations for a large corporation for over 15 years. After raising my children I decided to make a career change and got my teaching certification to teach Marketing. I cannot tell you how rewarding it is to see high school students begin to take the knowledge they have been acquiring for some 11 or 12 years and through Marketing courses, participation in DECA and working through co-op programs, bring that knowledge full circle and be able to discuss, plan and produce amazing work! I have been teaching high school for 10 years and I have students who are now college degreed in Marketing and come back every year to speak in my class or to participate as a judge in competition because of how successful they felt when they participated in DECA. Good luck with your project! As a current advisor in a rural town in the middle of Minnesota, DECA has made a huge influence in my life. I started in DECA 34 years ago and learned how to dress and act like a professional. By competing, I learned how to be flexible and to become the best I can be. I also found my career while participating in marketing and the DECA organization. I became a marketing teacher. Because of some life experiences, I have worked in the business field, as a teacher, and as an entrepreneur. DECA is a fantastic organization to help students mature and grow as individuals. Hi Darryl, I am a sophomore at the Univeristy of Minnesota in the Carlson School ofManagement. During my high school career I was actively involved in MinnesotaDECA as a State Officer. DECA has impacted my life by giving me theopportunity to experience real life business situations, gain leadershipskills, meet many high achieving students, and introducing me to the businessworld. I used to be introverted and not sure what kind of life I would leadbefore I joined my high school DECA chapter. Becoming a chapter officer, Igained leadership skills that will last me a lifetime. To become a stateofficer, I overcame my fear of public speaking. To my suprise, I ended uploving to speak to a large audience! I am still involved with Minnesota DECAby helping out as a conference staff member for the Fall LeadershipConference and the State Comference. I am passionate about DECA because itoffers so many opportunities to it's DECA members. The amount any membergains from DECA is almost limitless. I hope this is what you were looking for. Good luck with your project! Jessica Swanoski Darryl,Very interesting choice of a project and I would be more than happy to add my little tid bit. DECA is an extremely beneficial group that I believe all high school students should be apart of. It helps develop important networking and social skills that are not learned through your every day lives with friends and relatives. It puts you in situations that make you feel uncomfortable at first and then helps you grow as a person. DECA has benefited me in so many ways. THe most important one was getting me accepted into a college. Now my grades were okay and all that but once the admissions counselor saw I was one the presidents of my chapter, I was in. Now in the working world, I look back on the things that I learned and how it has shaped the way I do business and interact with others. Hope this helps and send me another e-mail if you need more. Jeff Scanlon Chaska High School DECA Alum Wow. Hello you... from me all the way from Utah! First of all, I just want to give you major props for thinking of such a fantastic graduation project idea! When I read your email I thought the whole thing was really really awesome!!!... I'd like to see the finished product!!! Anyway, attached is a little bit about me and why i loooooooove DECA! I hope this helps and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Anne FleshmanNorthern Region Vice PresidentUTAH DECA Hi Darryl! My name is Courtney Clark. I am the State President for Michigan DECA and from Mona Shores High School. I think this sounds like a great project. I am forwarding this email to several other DECA members I know, so hopefully that helps you out. Here is my comment; DECA has forced me to step outside my comfort zone and meet new people. Before running for state office, I was shy and didn't have the confidence to meet new people or speak in public. Through DECA, I have had opportunities to talk with people from all over the world and make some amazing friends. DECA has helped me to obtain a self-confidence that never imagined I could have, and that has changed my life tremendously. Have a great day! Courtney Clark Darryl, I am happy to answer your question on how Delta Epsilon Chi has benefited me. Delta has not only given me the opportunity to grow as a leader but also has given me a chance of networking. The leadership skills that I have gained both as a member and a officer are transferable to my future career and have helped me be a better communicator and problem solver no matter the situation. The opportunity for networking is greater than anything I have seen elsewhere. As a member you are able to talk to fellow members from around the country, influential people, and business professionals from both small and large business. These contacts will come in handy for a successful future for members. I hope this helps and I wish you luck on your project. Robert Van Dyke Western Region Vice President Delta Epsilon Chi Good Afternoon Darryl, My name is Mike Owen and I am from Brainerd High School in Brainerd Minnesota. I have been in DECA for one year now and im just starting the second. DECA has been a great expierence that i have been lucky enough to have in my life. The confrences have taught me mainly how to expand my "comfort zone." Because of the wide variety of people that attend the confrences you are forced to meet new people and interact. DECA has also allowed me to be more confident in the comunity when i go out and look for a job, or word expierence, because a lot of buisnesses in the area look upon DECA as a something that should make you a better worker. Good luck with your paper, Mike Owen I am so sorry that this is late, and I hope that it gets to you in time to use for your project!! If you'd like me to send you a picture of my favorite DECA memory (so many!) or something, let me know! (address, i'm at school, and all my DECA pics are at home... but I'm sure I can get one to you somehow!) Good luck with your project! Erica Pressley Hey!! Sorry it took me so long to respond!! DECA allows me to get to know my students better. I can take my students to places they've never been (since some of them have never been out of Sanford) and get to know them as more than just a student....I get to know them as our future CEOs and business leaders. Brooke Tracy Brooke A. TracyMarketing Education, M. Ed.CTE Department ChairDECA AdvisorSouthern Lee High School You picked a good topic! DECA is a benefit to my life. Of course it helps with many things that impact your life in the future like jobs opportunities, scholarships and networking. But my favorite thing about DECA is it is fun! I get the opportunity to travel which I love, and because everyone in DECA is very outgoing it is easy to make friends. I know several occasions where I was standing in a line and someone just turned around and asked me what my name was and what was up. That doesn't really happen any where else. Then once you make friends you see them all the time at events, district, state then a few at Internationals. I look forward to DECA more than anything else this year because of the people I will meet and the opportunities I will be given. How was that? Good luck on your project!! Darryl As a parent volunteer, I was introduced to DECA this last year, 2006. I am truly amazed that it is not a required organization for students. While sitting in on a judged District competition event, I realized that all students (and adults) could benefit from this situational event. I praise DECA for all that it continues to do for the future leaders of our country. C. Redkey Hey Darryl:I apologize for the late reply. October has always been an extreme busy time at University of Waterloo and I haven't had time to get around to this. I'd be happy to help you with your project. I hope your deadline hasn't yet passed. I'll relate to you my personal experience with DECA. When I attended highschool, I was introduced to DECA in Grade 11. For the last 5 years, I've been involved in DECA, both at the highschool and the university level. To me, the benefit it brings is too numerous to count. But most importantly, it built my confidence and my ability to work with others. Personally, I think DECA is a platform of opportunities. For the first time in my life, I was able to have a stage to present my ideas and be listened to with attention. I was able to vocalize my opinions and offer solutions to problems, putting together bits and pieces into a cohesive argument. It made me a good speaker and it built up my confidence to speak. Furthermore, it made me more social, learning to work with group of like minded people to run the chapter organization. I become acquainted with a variety of characters with distinctive personalities and I learnt to gel with them. Ultimate, DECA made me a more functional and capable member of society. I'd be happy to pass this onto my executives if your deadline hasn't passed. Please let me know. Thanks and have a good weekend.Jay DEX has given me the confidence in myself to achieve things I would never have imagined. I enabled me to believe in myself. I hope this helps. Good luck young man, Matt LangePresidentMinnesota Delta Epsilon Chi Hey Darryl! My name is Victoria Reliford. I am a senior at Cross Creek High School in Augusta, Ga. I am currently the Vice President of Finance for Georgia state DECA. I am so happy to be of help to your senior project (I know how hard mine gets). As a growing teenager, I learn new things everyday- every minute really. I'm learning how much it really cost to get to the college I want and how much my mother does to raise me (which is a constant headache with my senior dues and mall addictions). But it was not until I joined DECA that I really experienced what life is like. DECA has taught me that goals are not goals, but merely dreams if I have no intention on working hard for them. Being with DECA, I've learned about marketing and the economy, and how the world really works. DECA has taught me about the business world and how no one has any intention on giving you anything if you are just a latent student who does no work. Being a State Officer has pushed me to grow. Deadlines, responsibilities, duties, loyalties, and more deadlines has made me a better person. I have begun to grow into the person that does not wake up thinking, "What can I buy today?" but into the person who wakes up thinking, "What am I going to accomplish today?". To me, the real world is waiting, and DECA has walked me to the door to let it in. I hope your scrapebook is amazing!! Victoria Reliford