​Life After DECA
DECA is such an amazing program because of its real world applicability. The amount of knowledge you obtain through DECA is unmeasurable. From the value of money to the leadership skills DECA takes pride in helping your future. The very basis of DECA is the concept of business and money making it possible for you to learn things about handling and understanding money, before you ever go into the real world. Also, DECA brings forth connection opportunities to meet new people and work on your speaking skills which in my opinion, is the most important thing for your future. In all, DECA is the key to success!

​All advisors do great things for Florida DECA and their students but I chose to spotlight two advisors who are very close to me. As a student at South Plantation High School, I am able to see firsthand what Mr. Holt and Mr. Marino do for their students and Florida DECA.
Mr. Marino is single handedly the funniest, smartest, and kindness man you will ever meet. Since the first day I walked into the DECA room he has guided me through life. As the head coach for the school’s varsity basketball team he was able to see me grow as a DECA member, a basketball player, and a young man. The openness he shows towards his students is remarkable. If any student ever needs someone to just talk to they will see him for his relentless questioning and clever remarks.
Mr. Holt, is the living legend. His list of accomplishments in his remarkable 30 year career with South Plantation DECA goes on forever but you would never know due to his humbleness. It is obvious that he loves what he does more than anyone can imagine. The respect people have for him is something I have never seen before. Mr. Holt’s way of leading is one of a kind, as he has never yelled at a student but the infamous Holt stare will get the worst of the worst students behaving.
I hope that one day I will be half as great as these two!

To be professionally responsible as a high school student is challenging to say the least. It is a lesson that is a necessity to be learned and is almost like a rite of passage in the journey through young adulthood.

I have broken up the necessity for being professionally responsible as a teenager into three categories.

1. DECA

If you are reading this you are most likely in DECA. Whether it is due to a chapter event or assignment or for competition you will most likely have a time in your DECA experience in which you will need to be business dressed.

2. Formal occasions

These events could range from a family reunion to a wedding, but either way it is crucial to always be properly professionally responsible. You would like to look formal to be able to enjoy the event and witness these important events in many people’s lives.

3. Job interview

For people our age it is normal to be obtaining our first jobs. These jobs are our first steps into adulthood and are not only a way to have spending money but also an important part in learning to be professionally responsible. To get a job you must interview for it. It is necessary to be professionally responsible when you go for this interview as it could be the deal breaker between getting the job or not. I know someone who was able to get the job before even interviewing due to the fact tht they held themselves to such a professional manner.

Stay classy

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Officer bonding is one of the most important parts in making for a successful officer team. By having a successful team it will in turn bring for a successful year to your chapter. It will make the year more fun and it will seem more like a perk then a position. There are many different types of bonding to do with your officers. I broke it up into two categories.

Exercises

Classic games that pick at your teams brains are not only fun but informative. This puts the emphasis on learning about each other on a professional and informational level. Examples range from basis ice breakers to teamwork workshops all the way to planning for the actual year.

Events

This is catered more towards getting to know your fellow officers on a level that will make for lasting friendships as you work towards common goals. There are numerous ways to have bonding event. Again this could range from a day at the park to lifelong memories.

 

Keep in mind the expenses that go with the different ways to bond with fellow officers. I would recommend that you find a balance between the two. A way to do this would be to do bonding exercises then go to your event or even better doing the exercises at your event. Here are 3 ideas for an effective officer bonding time.

Movies

Mall

Arcade

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CHOOSING A CAUSE

Philanthropy is one of the major principles DECA is built on. One thig every DECA member will remember from their time in this great organization is helping others.

Philanthropy is not only a good way to help the community but it is a good ways to connect with fellow chapter members. One way to get the most out of an act of community service within your chapter is to make it a competition. Who doesn’t love a good ol’ competition to better the community? By making it a competition it will build friendship among members and make for a better turn out for the cause.

When choosing the cause you should go with something that you personally care about. All you have to do is google something you care about and BAM millions upon millions of ways to help! There are many different causes so picking the right one for you is crucial and will set the foundation for the time.

Also, you have to factor in what you want to do for the cause. Some causes only accept certain items or even strictly money donations so it is crucial that you contact the local branch of your cause before doing so.

ALWAYS REMEMBER FL DECA HOLDS 2 HELPING HANDS DRIVES (ELS and CDC) SO PLEASE RECOMEMD CAUSES AND PARTICIPATE!!!

Dear Florida DECA,

I would like to take this time to say…Thank you! Not enough people say thank you for the small things. So, I will say thank you.

Thank you, to the advisors. Without them how would we be able to function? They take time out of their lives to put us first. So thank an advisor…seriously thank one right now (text them, email them, send them a smoke signal, JUST SAY THANK YOU)

Thank you to the members, you the members are the heart and soul of Florida DECA. You practiced for competition. You raised record breaking amounts for Helping hands and Dollars for Scholars. You loved Florida DECA.

This year I saw a lot of love in Florida DECA. This is the most important thing. DECA is a group of people that enjoy being around each other and that’s what it’s all about. We had a great year this year “being DECA” but let’s all give it that little extra push and make next year the best ever, and make next year EPIC.

Use the time you have over the summer to better yourself and those around you. Spend a little bit of time doing something adventurous. Spend a little time thinking of how you will BE EPIC next year. Don’t forget to rest a little because you will need it once the next DECA year comes because it is going to be EPIC!

PS: I would like to thank everyone for electing me to represent you. I will do my best to make next year the best ride of your life. THANK YOU!!!

Love,

Justin Degen
FL DECA Vice President
Team 58

Honesty,

It is something that has been bestowed upon us since a young age but the truth is we all aren’t honest. At some point or time everyone has told a lie. Whether it is a small “white lie” or large lie that had major consequences they are all against one major principle, integrity.

In business you have many opportunities to lie (all are wrong) but I will focus on one, the application process.

If you are applying for a job and lie there is absolutely no good outcome. This has occurred in numerous real life situations most notoriously to ex-CEO of radio shack Dave Edmondson. He lied about his educational pass and when the story broke it ruined his career he worked so hard for and destroyed his social image. I was once told a story of a man who lied on their resume and said they were experts in speaking Japanese and sky diving to just buff up a resume in a company that had nothing to do with either and, you guessed it, not to long after that person was called upon to sky dive with Japanese speaking clients; not to mention he was afraid of heights. The moral of the story is that the company is hiring you for you so don’t lie it just won’t work out.

Finally, here in DECA

Statement of assurance yes that thing again. It is iterated over and over again how necessary it is because if you would take time and look at it, (on the bottom of this post) it is a promise of integrity and honesty. There has been  problem with people reusing the same paper or just switching the same paper to another category and it is very important to know that it is wrong to do so and ultimately against the rules. There are different circumstances to each paper so look into the details before submitting the paper and make sure that you are doing the right thing. It is a bad reflection on yourself and everyone around you to be dishonest. So tell the truth: “honesty is the best policy.”

Statement of Assurance & Integrity: 

 DECA… ICDC... Loch Ness monster…

What do these three all have in common? MYTHS!

DECA is connected to many different myths and misconceptions that have been analyzed for years, but it is now time to go full on "myth buster" on DECA ICDC

I will break it down into four of my favorite myths

Ontario always wins

False. Competition is defined as rivalry between two or more persons or groups for an object desired in common, usually resulting in a victor and a loser but not necessarily involving the destruction of the latter. If you are willing to put in the time and effort you can definitely be on that stage looking out to thousands of members thinking “we made it.”

I need the newest DECA things

While you will look stylish it is recommended but not necessary to wear the new DECA patch on the DECA blazer, the old one is still acceptable. Also, it is recommended, but not mandatory, to use the new DECA folios for written events. For further information on these look to the link on the bottom of this post.

I am from a small chapter, I can’t win because no one else has.

NO. NO. NO.

We can look to our very own Vice President Morgan.  She comes from a “small chapter” and with only a handful of members at CDC she ran a great campaign! I strongly believe that it does not matter what school you are from or the history you are trying to follow, but it is you that will win. If you work hard enough you will win. MAKE YOUR OWN LEGACY!

I don’t want to try so hard just to lose

It is not about winning (which would be fun) or losing, but how you play the game. If you try your hardest, the most important person in the world will be happy and proud, yourself. So if you don’t want to do it for anyone else, do it for yourself and GET THE WIN AT ICDC! #wemadeit

Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Related links:

 http://www.decadirect.org/November-2014/Top-5-DECA-Role-Play-Myths/

http://www.decadirect.org/January-2014/Common-Myths-and-Misconceptions-about-ICDC/

http://www.decadirect.org/March-2013/Debunking-the-ICDC-Myth/