By Khushi Jariwala
Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) prepares students to become the leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. This club helps to prepare students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. They also instill the characteristics of becoming academically prepared and community oriented. Basically, the goal of DECA is to help students to become the professional and experienced leaders of tomorrow.
They do this through a learning program that includes classroom instruction and then applies this learning to business competition.
One such competition was held just before the whole world hid in quarantine, at Ramapo College in January. It seems like so long ago, but the memories of PHS students Gabriela Farfan, Jocelyn Guerrero, Khushe Jariwala, Rodolfo Mora, Osman Alcantara and Luis Reyna, will last a lifetime.
Each student is a part of the team and responsible for one part of the competition. Gabriela Farfan competed in Entrepreneurship role plan. Jocelyn Guerrero competed in an Integrated Marketing Campaign event. Khushi Jariwals created a start-up business plan, while Rodolfo Mora competed in an innovation business plan. Accounting Application role playing was tackled by Osman Alcantara and Luis Reyna represented PHS in an Integrated Marketing Campaign Product. These students could not compete without the motivation and guidance of Mrs. Aristy and Mrs. Fuller. “I am so grateful for the opportunity,” said senior Rodolfo Mora.
Winners from Ramapo went on to compete in Atlantic City.
Competing is one thing, but winning is something else. PHS came to win and three of our DECA, a business and marketing club, students placed in this year’s DECA State Career Development Conference in Atlantic City! Gabriela Farfan, placed 3rd in the Entrepreneurship category, beating 87 other competitors! Joselin Guerrero & Rodolfo Mora created an instructional promotion video that prepares first time DECA competitors for success! All three students were heading to the next phase in Nashville for the DECA International Career Development Conference! However, the Covid epidemic cancelled those plans. Sorry to those seniors! We wish they could have represented the Indians in a national event!
While these seniors, who made us proud are graduation this year, there is always next year and DECA is always on the lookout for new students to help carry the torch, representing PHS. Gabriela Farfan said, “This is a great opportunity for people who aren’t yet sure of what they want to pursue as a career. Junior year, I joined DECA, and before I knew it, I was headed to Atlantic City! Not only did I get to meet amazing people who continuously left me in awe, but I came back to Passaic with endless life-changing experiences that I’d love to share with future leaders in PHS.”
“DECA is something I’ve never experienced before in my life and this was a great opportunity to give me a feeling of the real world. As a first year DECA member, I went through a lot of experiences such as competing for regionals in Ramapo College, then in Atlantic City for States. Waking up in the morning was complicated in the beginning but as the club was becoming more hands on this wasn’t in my head anymore. I knew that this was important for Mrs. Aristy and Mrs. Fuller, so it became a priority to me. DECA was not only outstanding because of the level of work we put in but rather how our competitors look more prepared and ready to advance to the next phase. Being here for one year I thought it was not going to be possible to reach far but I did with the help of my fellow club members and my advisors it was possible,” said Rodolfo Mora.
Competing also helps students in ways other than just learning about ethical business practices. “DECA is what made me come out of my shell. By joining DECA and by competing at Atlantic City, I was exposed to the real world out there. The competition became priority to me since I wanted to go to Nationals and also because Mrs. Fuller and Mrs. Aristy wanted me to give my excellence.
The experience I had with Mrs. Aristy and Mrs. Fuller and with my DECA members was thoughtful and amazing. They made me believe that “I got the Ocean View!” This was my first experience in business regarding competition and although it was not easy, I can proudly say it was worthwhile because I learned a lot. I still remember how I and Jocelyn Gurrero were practicing at late night for competition to make it to nationals. I would recommend students to join DECA,” said Khushi Jariwala.
It is never too late to join DECA, but the earlier you join the more fun you will have and the more you will learn through hands on experience. Osman Alcantara said, “This is my first and last year being a member of DECA, and the experience that I have with the advisors, Mrs. Aristy and Mrs. Fuller, and crew members were unique. I was able to see that we can make anything possible. We only need to have the motivation to move forward.
When I joined DECA I didn’t want to compete because I was scared of making mistakes, but I took the chance of going to regionals for the experience and I passed to states. I can tell you that it wasn’t easy. The experience of going to Atlantic City was amazing because you experience how real life can be.
Real life it’s not just doing your homework and getting good grades, it’s about competing with other people of your same age to win a position that will show how ready you are. DECA takes you to a different level. You need to believe in yourself! Tell yourself that you can do it and have the motivation to keep moving forward. Join DECA today!
