Greetings Florida DECA, on behalf of Team 53, we would like to extend a warm holiday greeting to you and yours. As you deck the halls with boughs of holly, remember that tis the season to be jolly, and with that in mind, we have all heard the saying that "giving is better than receiving". So this holiday season as you gather with family and friends for celebrations of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or the many other countless celebrations, remember those less fortunate then you. We challenge you to lend a simple helping hand, because it can make a world of difference this holiday season. From helping out at a local food bank, to reading a book to the children at a foster home, it really can impact someone this holiday season! So as we celebrate, don't forget to also give back to your community, as service over self is always a satisfying feeling. 



On behalf of Team 53, we would like to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a wonderful Kwanzaa and an amazing holiday season altogether! 



- Tom Moyer, Florida DECA State Vice President 

Hello again Florida DECA!

Do you know what Community Service means? Community Service is not just the general dictionary definition of “Voluntary work intended to help people in a particular area”. Community Service gives a person, a family, an animal what they need to live and survive. Florida DECA is strong advocates of community service, for the reason of how large of an organization we are. Because of how large and still growing we are, we have a larger chance of making that difference in not just one person’s life, but many. Florida DECA created the Florida DECA Helping Hands in 2011 and in two short years we have donated over 10 thousand articles of clothing to the Orlando Salvation Army and the Seminole County Families in Transition. This year, we wanted to begin a whole new community service project and we call it the Mac and Cheese Drive. Chapters will collect boxes of macaroni and cheese within their schools and bring them along to us at the State Career Development Conference on February 28, 2013 through March 3, 2013. The top three chapters that collect the most mac and cheese will receive a traveling trophy and the mac and cheese itself is donated to the Seminole County Families in Transition. I hope to see a mountain of mac and cheese at this year’s SCDC!  Team 53 and I expect you Florida DECA to do more than just survive in this competition, but to thrive and make it to the first place collector’s spot!

Until next time,

Kasey Kupcik
Florida DECA President

It’s finally here Florida DECA, that time of the year that gets you in the spirit! The holiday season is amongst us, and we all know what that means; ICDC is only a few months away! For those of you who don't know what ICDC is, it's DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC), the highlight of the DECA year. Fourteen thousand high school students, advisors, businesspersons and alumni gather for several days of DECA excitement. Most participants at ICDC compete in one of DECA's competitive events. The top competitors in each event are recognized for their outstanding achievements. In addition to the competitive events, many students and advisors participate in a variety of leadership and career advancing academies.

"I know a place, where the grass is really greener! Warm, wet and wild, there must be something in the water!" Obviously by this time, you know this year’s ICDC will be in Anaheim, California. But with that, we cannot forget what it takes to get there. In the next few weeks, districts in the state will be holding testing and competition for district level, the first step to making it to Anaheim. Make sure that you come ready with the ultimate goal in mind, of making it to the pinnacle of DECA competition! After you place at your district level, get ready for states, held yet again at the Downtown Disney Hilton, in Orlando, Florida! There, you'll be competing with the best in the state, seeing who's got what it takes to take first in the many categories, such as automotive marketing, Travel & Tourism, or even in Principals of Finance! As your name is called to receive your first place award for your category, get ready to not only get that Florida shaped glass trophy, but to prepare yourself, as you will be among Florida's finest, representing your state, your school and yourself at ICDC!

This year, the Florida delegation has the Hilton Anaheim to call home, as we work hard, compete hard, and play harder! With the convention center directly across the street, and a block from the Disneyland Resort, the possibilities for fun are endless. So as your district level events begin, sit down and think what the ultimate goal is, ICDC in Anaheim, California! And remember that hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard, and sometimes with a little luck and hard work, you could be the best, even the best in the world this year at the 67th International Career Development Conference!

Go check out the official Facebook page of this year’s ICDC here!

Maybe even watch the official video here!



- Tom Moyer, Florida DECA State Vice President

 Hi Florida DECA! With DECA Month coming to an end, we can see that there is a lot more to leadership than what meets the eye.  Good communication skills, trustworthy respectful, and passionate are some of the qualities needed to be a great leader.  Another important quality that so many people overlook is caring.

Caring is a necessary quality of a leader. As a leader, you want every single member that walks into your chapter to feel that they are important, that they belong, and you are happy they are there.  Leaders that care for all of their members get more respect and motivation from their members.  A few tips on how to show that you care are to welcome members, smile, remember names, get to know your members, and make them a part of our DECA family!

At the end of my sophomore year, I traveled to Washington DC for the Summer Officer Leadership Training. I was one of three chapters in attendance that were not state officers, and was the only one that came alone. However, as soon as I walked into that conference, Claire Cloker, the National DECA President at the time, made me feel that I was important, that I belonged, and that she was happy I was there. She changed that conference for me, and because of her great caring quality, it motivated me to run for state office.

Leaders possess a lot of influence on how much a member wants to be a part of DECA.

I cannot wait to see all of you at the State CDC! Start studying, and remember Do More than Survive, THRIVE!

Jason Richards

Florida DECA Vice President

It’s December Florida DECA!!!!!  December is my favorite month of the year!  I love the cool air, the winter clothes (Florida winter clothes) that I get to wear for the only time all year, and best of all, WINTER BREAK!!!! 

As I’m sure you all have been hearing throughout the year, Florida DECA’s theme is “Do More Than Survive! Thrive!”  But what does it really mean?  Does it mean do your best in school?  Or maybe it means do your best in DECA testing.  Or maybe even that you should standout in anything you do!  Well the truth is, that we meant it to mean all of those examples and much more.

By simply “SURVING” in a club, a sport, or a school subject, one is taking only the very first step to success.  But by going above and beyond and “THRIVING,” one is taking advantage of the opportunities that are given to him or her.  By sitting in biology class like a rock every day for a year, you have completed biology class.  You have survived.  But by attentively listening and asking questions in biology class, after doing so for a year, you have sufficient knowledge in that subject matter and you have taken advantage of your daily hour of biology class.  You have thrived in biology!

The same thing holds true for DECA.  By prospering on your competition, leaving your comfort zone at conferences, and getting more and more friends involved in DECA, you are THRIVING!  I challenge all of you, to Do More Than Survive! THRIVE!  

               As a senior, I have been more involved with extracurricular activities than ever before. In the fall I attended all of my school’s home football games and I have been hanging out with my friends during soccer practice and DECA meetings. But as the holidays approach and I am slowly getting acceptance letters from colleges, I can feel myself getting the infamous and inevitable symptoms of “Senioritis.”

               If you’re a senior then you probably know the phrase well, and if you haven’t heard about it, you will. “Senioritis” is a disease that strikes seniors as they begin to approach the end of their high school career. Wondering if you’re at risk of falling ill? Here’s my fool-proof plan on how to keep yourself safe from “senioritis”:

1.      Go To All Your Classes  – Whether it’s sitting on the patio to avoid a substitute or driving off campus to get McDonald’s during class, I’ve seen senior after senior skip classes to avoid the stress and work of a full day’s work.

2.      Don’t Let Your Grades Slip – The number one concern of senior guidance counselors is that their students will not graduate or will get their admission to a school revoked after final transcripts. If you keep your grades a priority, you will be fighting off the biggest symptom of “senioritis.”

3.      It’s Too Early To Cut Ties – As you make the transition from high school and into the “real world” of college and work, it’s easy to want to cut ties before you are forced to say goodbye in a few months. Try to remember that there is still a lot of time to spend with friends and loved ones so you should make the most of it instead of getting involved in distracting drama.

4.      Enjoy Yourself – Don’t be so eager to leave and just enjoy the moments that you still have to attend varsity basketball games and school-wide walk-a-thons.

By learning to fight off “senioritis” your setting yourself up for success in high school, college, and your career. Good luck seniors!

-Erica Mick, Florida DECA State Vice President