At the Texas DECA District Seven Career Development Competition (CDC) on Jan. 16, Timber Creek had 16 students compete and five are advancing to the statewide competition in Dallas, TX on Feb. 20-22.
The students in DECA spend time attending meetings and preparing for the CDC. They can choose from a wide variety of categories, and they usually go for the one that they are planning to pursue as a career. At CDC the students will compete by writing papers, taking tests, and participating in role play based on real business scenarios. The DECA program provides the opportunity to students to win scholarships from any of the many businesses that sponsor it.
“The DECA goal or mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management on a high school level,” said Peggy Strong, the DECA club sponsor.
The program is not only helpful for the student’s future careers, it trains them to think quickly, and applies the things that they learn in school to real life scenarios. Erica Seay competed in the Restaurant Food Service and Management category, and she expressed a few of the things that she learned from CDC.
“I learned how to do things in only 10 minutes, and I think that being able to plan things under pressure and think quick will help me as an adult,” said Seay.
One of the five students advancing to state, Mercy Adu also competed in the Restaurant Food Service and Management category, and she talked about the reasons why she decided to join the program for the first time this year and if she will be doing it again.
“At first I didn’t want to, I joined because my sister was doing it and I thought it would be cool to be in a club or extracurricular activity, but now I will be doing it again,” said Adu, “It’s a good way to meet other people, be professional, and to have fun.”
The students have high hopes for state and are looking forward to the larger-scale competition. Strong has high expectations for her students and the DECA program here at Timber Creek.
“My hopes for the students competing at state, is that they can advance to the international level,” said Strong, “My goal is to eventually take two carter buses loaded with DECA students to the state competition.”
The students who are advancing to state are:
Cebrion Butler- Sports and Entertainment Series
Mercy Adu- Restaurant Food Service and Management
Grace Adu- Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
Micheal Fishman- Business Finance Series
Wyatt Whitmill- Automotive Services Marketing Series
