Students at Immaculata-La Salle High School have many opportunities to get involved in clubs that can help them develop skills outside of the classroom. One of those opportunities is DECA, a student organization focused on preparing students for careers in business, marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
DECA is led at ILS by senior Sofia Fink, the organization’s president. The club gives students the opportunity to compete in different areas while also developing important skills such as public speaking, leadership, teamwork, and decision-making.
Students interested in DECA can choose from several different types of competitions. Some students compete through presentations, while others write papers or take tests based on different business-related topics. This allows members to find a competition that fits their strengths and interests.
For Sofia, DECA is more than just another school club. The organization also provides students with opportunities to meet people from other schools and experience competitions outside of Miami. During her freshman year, she and other DECA members had the opportunity to travel to California for an international competition.
The travel experience is one of the opportunities that makes DECA stand out from many other extracurricular activities. Students who work hard throughout the year can advance through different levels of competition and potentially compete against students from around the country and even internationally.
“It’s cool that something you start at school can eventually lead to traveling and competing with students from completely different places,” senior Aspen Hernandez said. “It gives you something to work toward.”
However, competition is not the only reason students join DECA. The organization also focuses on helping members become more confident when speaking in front of others and working as part of a team. These skills can be useful in college, future careers, and everyday situations.
DECA also gives students the chance to take on leadership roles and become more comfortable presenting their ideas. For students who may be interested in owning a business, working in marketing, managing a company or pursuing another career in business, the club can provide an early introduction to those areas.
“Being involved in clubs like DECA can help students figure out what they like before they get to college,” junior Alejandro Feria said. “It’s a chance to try something different and build experience at the same time.”
The club’s first meeting will take place Tuesday at 2:40 p.m. in Room 707. Students who are interested are encouraged to attend and learn more about the organization. They can also bring a friend to the meeting.
With opportunities to compete, travel, meet new people and develop leadership skills, DECA gives ILS students another way to prepare for their futures while getting involved in the school community. Whether students already have an interest in business or are simply looking for a new activity, the first meeting will give them a chance to see what DECA has to offer.
