DECA has given me the chance to meet many new people, not only at school, but also in the professional world. I’ve learned how to think critically under pressure and express my ideas with confidence. It has given me real-world business experience, taught me teamwork and time management, and pushed me to step outside my comfort zone. Most importantly, DECA has inspired me to set bigger goals for my future. – Molly Lyon, Blacksburg High School senior Another BHS student, junior Jack Herbert, echoes Molly: “Blacksburg DECA has allowed me to meet new friends and better my communication and critical thinking skills. It has also prepared me for future challenges.”Grace Li, BHS class of 2028, credits DECA for it having “made a huge impact on my public speaking and competition skills. It is a really fun experience being a member and an officer.” The DECA chapter at Blacksburg High School boasts 106 active members who can compete at district, state and international levels if they qualify. Competitions include sophisticated business skills such as business operations research, project management, team decision making, personal finance literacy, principles of business administration and five other categories. FFV, FFA and DECA Connection In 1925, there were approximately 6.5 million farms in the U.S., and farmers composed just over one-quarter of the workforce. Today there are fewer than two million farms representing less than two percent of the workforce. That same year, four educators at Virginia Tech founded the Future Farmers of Virginia [FFV] organization. Three years later, Future Farmers of America [FFA] was established in the Midwest, based on the FFV model. Less than two decades hence, in 1946, the Distributive Education Clubs of America was created, taking inspiration from the FFA. Now simply known as DECA (pronounced de’ka), the global organization has 294,000 high school members in 4,252 chapters. In the Classroom The DECA experience begins in the classroom with business concepts which prepare students for careers and/or college. The four basic components include “programs that integrate classroom instruction, apply learning, connect to business, and promote competition.” [deca.org] BHS junior Patrick Walsh relates: “Through the last 2 years that I have been a Blacksburg High School DECA member, I have learned how to manage time, help the community, and participate in competitions in a professional and responsible manner.” The best time, so far, for BHS DECA member Keanan Kopp, class of 2026, was attending the state leadership conference where he “met tons of new people, had fun with friends, and learned a lot about DECA.” Young entrepreneur and BHS senior Emily Diggs competed successfully to advance to the International Career Development Conference competition in Florida earlier this year. Her business, The Blacksburg Rose, was featured in New River Valley Magazine’s NovDec issue in 2023. She credits her membership in DECA with strengthening her self-confidence, gaining the knowledge to organize and present a comprehensive business plan and advancing her marketing skills. In the Community Community service is a large part of DECA, serving in the places where these students may eventually open a new business, buy one in existence or play a significant role in an established company. “Along with competing, we also focus on community service,” states Emily.“Our largest project is Home for the Holidays,” she continues. “Home for the Holidays is an event to raise money in order to send home bags of kid-friendly snacks and meal items to elementary school students throughout Montgomery County Public Schools. Last year, we were able to send home bags for around 150 kids. For donations, $35 covers an entire bag for a student over winter break, and a donation of $350 is able to cover an entire classroom!” Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos courtesy of DECA
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