During the first week of November, NAHS’s DECA club stepped outside of the classroom and into their Fall Leadership Development Conference. Here, DECA members represented the Dubs by taking tests, competing in role plays, and participating in workshops. DECA Dubs tested their business knowledge, learned how to participate in meetings, and even built new connections. The trip sparked excitement for what’s to come with DECA.
On the first day of the trip, students participated in one of two options: a test that assessed their marketing and hospitality knowledge or a role play that assessed different scenarios students might face in the hospitality world. Those competing in the role-play category were tasked with creating marketing strategies for challenging situations. This included selling seats with obstructed views or promoting a new event. Ela Johnson, a sophomore and the Vice President of Hospitality, competed in the role-play category at the conference. “The roleplay was super fun and I enjoyed figuring out how to solve a real-life problem people in the hospitality industry face,” she said.
The other option students could participate in was a rigorous test. This test challenged students to apply their knowledge in a short period of time. With 100 questions to answer in just 75 minutes, the exam’s wide range wasn’t surprising. It tested everything from marketing principles to management strategies. For sophomore and first-year DECA member Campbell Massey, the experience was both rigorous and rewarding to her. “I was super prepared for the test, but it’s still not easy,” she said. “Although it was hard, I really enjoyed being able to put all the things I’ve learned in DECA to the test.”
On the second day of the trip, students spent their time in workshops designed to strengthen their professional skills and DECA skills. The sessions covered were those on creating relationships, improving leadership abilities, and learning how to run club meetings successfully. Sophomore Jean Luc Khyatt, the Vice President of Leadership, thought the workshop was the most informative part of the conference. “As DECA officers, we’re always looking for new ways to run the meetings,” he said. “The workshops were really helpful with this, but also super engaging and fun.”
At the end of the day, the field trip was more than just a competition. It was an opportunity for DECA members. It was a chance to be guided, to grow, and make connections with others their age. DECA brought together students who share similar interests in pursuing the hospitality industry. Every part of the experience helped build skills that extended beyond the classroom. Whether it was the tests, roleplays, workshops, or marketing advice, the DECA Dubs will carry this event into their future. Overall, the conference left students inspired and motivated to embrace new opportunities at DECA and beyond.
