Skyline High School has a club called Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) that went to the State Career Development Conference (SCDC) on February 19 and 20. Skyline DECA got 41 members to place and 20 of the testers made it into the top 10% for the various events and tests that happened at SCDC.
While these results highlight success, many students think DECA is more than just awards and competitions. It’s a chance to build confidence, explore interests, and connect with others.
Lydia Bartholomew, who has been in DECA for two years, shared her reason for joining. “Originally I decided to join because I heard that they got to go to Disneyland,” she said, “bbut then after I joined, I realized how much fun it was. […] I met a lot of new people who taught me how to present well and confidently.”
As students spend more time in DECA, they start to realize that they can develop skills that go beyond what is needed in a classroom. Many events require quick thinking, strong communication, and the ability to present ideas clearly.
Sophie Heimburger, a first year member and first time competitor, said that her experience helped improve other skills. Heimburger said, “Talking on the spot was a big thing, as well as figuring out how to organize a speech.”
Preparing for SCDC takes time; many students dedicate weeks or months practicing and improving their presentations. “For state specifically, my main focus is just to memorize my script, and I’m able to present dynamically,” Bartholomew said. “We are just practicing presenting over and over again”
In addition to practice, mentorship also plays a part in helping students succeed at SCDC. Upperclassmen often help guide new members and share advice based on their own experiences in previous competitions. Bartholomew said, “The number one thing is finding an upperclassmen who is willing to mentor you. […] They can give you tips and advice, […] and it helps a ton.”
For some students, DECA becomes a long-term activity that shapes their future interests. Senior Johnathan Chen explained how his perspective has changed over time. “I’ve been doing DECA for four years. […] I joined because I was super interested in business,” he said. “I’m more interested in how businesses affect people as a whole, […] like the public policy side of it.”
Experienced members also advise that students start early and stay consistent throughout the process of preparing for SCDC or any other competition. “Always start early […] once you get started, it’s not as bad as you would think,” Chen said.
Beyond competition, DECA gives students memorable experiences and opportunities to connect with others. Events like SCDC or ICDC (International Career Development Conference) allow for these types of interactions to occur while students support each other and celebrate their efforts. Heimburger said, “My favorite memory was definitely going to state. […] Seeing everyone hype each other up before their competitions was really good.”
Even first year members can find success at SCDC, showing that their efforts and preparations were worth it in the end. “I didn’t think I would be able to make it too far, but I was able to place; it shows that hard work really pays off,” Heimburger said.
Through preparations, teamwork, and competitions, Skyline’s DECA members continue to grow both personally and professionally, making the program more than just a club. Like Heimburger said, “DECA is such a fun way to not only be with your peers, but to extend your knowledge on things that are actually of interest to you.”
