Carlmont is one of the 3500 high schools to host the DECA program at their school.
DECA’s mission attracts many students to join the program and to improve the skills needed to succeed in the business world.
“The purpose of the DECA club at Carlmont is to create an inclusive environment that ignites interest in business, fosters service, and creates competitive opportunities in various fields of business for Carlmont students,” said Selena Sun, a sophomore and president of the DECA Club.
The DECA Club helps lead the members gain more insight and experience in the field of entrepreneurship and eventually help them become leaders in finance, marketing, hospitality, and management.
Although Carlmont’s DECA Club discontinued several years ago due to curriculum restraints, Sun, along with others, was able to solve the problem and spring the club back into action.
“Just by walking around campus and talking to people, I noticed the lack of business opportunities given to Carlmont students. I heard about this organization through some of my friends from Mission High School, and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to fill this gaping hole,” said Sun.
The club consists of students that believe that the knowledge and skills that are offered will be beneficial for their future and will give them further understanding of the skills associated with the business world.
“I want to go into business, and it seemed like a great way to get some basic skills,” said freshman and club member Liam Dowling.
The club plans to attend the Silicon Valley Career Development Conference (SVCDC) in Santa Clara this January. At this event, Carlmont DECA will compete against other Bay Area schools to rank in different categories in the competition.
“There are 53 different categories that members can compete in, ranging from written start-up plans to performing case role-plays in front of judges. The categories encompass virtually all aspects of business, including finance, marketing, management, and hospitality and tourism,” said Sun.
DECA competitions are held across the United States, and the winners of state competitions can compete in international competitions. The program also takes alternate forms at different schools, such as the DECA program at Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Florida.
“DECA is an extracurricular with over 800 members with its activities integrated into classrooms during the day. The executive board typically discusses current community outreach and competition preparation,” said Spanish River DECA member Brandon Morantz, a junior at Spanish River High School.
At Spanish River High School, students that take the DECA class prepare for competitions depending on their experience and familiarity of the content, which proved successful in DECA competitions.
“Students use our test resources to study for exams, and more experienced members help judge mock plays for students to practice in front of judges for their case studies. Individuals and teams from chapter have won all levels of competition for the past 20 years. Last year, a team of three girls placed 6th in the world at internationals,” said Morantz.
Carlmont DECA club’s goal at the SVCDC in January is to compete with the other schools that will be in attendance.
“Harker High, Mission High, and Paly High are attending SVCDC. Harker High and Mission High are award-winning powerhouses so we’ll have to work extra hard this year,” said Sun.
The members hope to place at SVCDC to further their chances to qualify for state.
“If we happen to do well at SVCDC, we can qualify for state,” said sophomore and club member Lily Gittoes.
The DECA club meets every Wednesday in D10.
