DECA celebrates its recent awards and encourages more student involvement in the club.

For this year, Kettle Run’s  Distributive Education Clubs of America also known as the DECA club students recently earned the top medalists in several categories. The club aims to enhance student participation in competitions and the community. DECA has planned a lot for the students, which includes present and future events, and the club.  

DECA is a club that has been present in schools since 1946. It offers students courses in marketing management, finance, and hospitality. These courses help students gain the knowledge and skills necessary for pursuing their careers. Additionally, they provide opportunities to imitate real-life scenarios, making learning fun and rewarding. 

Mrs. Olinger is the DECA advisor at Kettle Run and is committed to ensuring students have a rewarding experience while creating pleasant memories, much like she did in DECA years ago. “Being the advisor, my favorite part is knowing that I was a part of it before and now that I get to experience it as an advisor with my students.” She is also responsible for organizing all the events that DECA offers.

DECA’s educational approach provides many benefits, including recognition and awards for your progress. Students are assigned business-related fictional scenarios that align with their chosen category. Consequently, it allows them to apply their skills to related real-world situations. Incorporating project-based learning and testing is another way they encourage participation in DECA competitions. Winning competitions gives progression to higher levels. The top four at the district level move to states, the top eight to nationals, and the top three receive a DECA glass award. 

Furthermore, the club offers students the opportunity to travel and experience different places and events, as competitions take place in various locations each year. For instance, the latest competition is in Anaheim, California, from Friday, April 26 to Wednesday, May 1. DECA also organizes trips unrelated to competitions, including an annual field day, a trip to New York City, and attendance at sporting events. 

DECA is more than a club. It offers students to augment their marketing curriculum, engage with peers, and contribute to personal growth. DECA provides a unique learning experience that sets it apart from other organizations and helps students gain skills in their careers in a competitive way. Mrs. Olinger said, “If you want your high school experience to be cool and fun and get to do cool and fun things, then join things like DECA.”