Ahmad Kareh

The 2014-2015 calendar year was a very eventful year for DECA at SLCC. With two new advisors, a new group of students, and the pressure of living up to a talented predecessor we had our work cut out for us. But in looking back, we had a lot of fun and learned a lot from a year filled with events.

As a group, we participated in many events at DECA. The main highlights are listed below:

Fall Leadership Conference

Typically this is the first conference or competition that SLCC Collegiate DECA attends. This conference consists of different schools throughout the Utah valley. On the first day, the students joined together for a presentation regarding skill building, networking, and learning about one’s strengths and weaknesses. The students then meet the companies they completed the challenges for, the companies this year were Adobe and Boostibility. Each company stated their case study, the students asked questions, and networked. The students were then broken up into groups and were given the rest of the evening to solve the case study and come up with the presentation. The next morning, the students presented their ideas to the judges who were executives from the two companies listed. This was followed by the award ceremony.

Career Leadership Academy

CLA was held in New York City. The conference or competition consisted of students from several different states. The first day the students all joined together for a presentation. The presentations varied from learning about entrepreneurship, skill building, getting to know the individuals strengths, etc. Then the students met the assigned companies that who presented their case studies. The students learned about the companies and were given the information needed to create a presentation. The next day students got to site see by visiting different businesses and locations that correlated with the assigned case studies. After the tour, the students separated into groups to work together and create their presentations. On the last day, students presented their case analysis to judges (the companies). After a break, they gathered again for the award ceremony. The winners received trophies and had the opportunity to network with the companies.

Ronald McDonald House

SLCC Collegiate DECA members volunteered twice last year at the Ronald McDonald House. The first time members provided and served lunch to the families. The second time members volunteered by baking sugar cookies and let the families decorate them with different colored frosting. Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House was a great experience for the students. The families really appreciated the service and they were able to connect with the families. SLCC Collegiate DECA became a well recognized name at the Ronald McDonald House by the families.

Dine for DECA Silent Auction

The event marketing course at SLCC was assigned to create and host an event. They chose to do a silent auction for DECA. The members got several companies to donate items such as jewelry, dresses, gift baskets, etc. Those who attended bid on the items and the highest bidder received the item. After the silent auction, all those who attended were served dinner by the catering service at SLCC. Everyone enjoyed the event and was able to network and have a great time.

DECA Deals Cards/Flyers

SLCC Collegiate DECA members put together a fundraiser: the DECA Deals Cards and Flyers. DECA members went to several different local businesses pitching the idea of participating in our DECA Deals Card and Flyer fundraiser, offering a deal or discount to that business. Businesses were charged a fee for spots on the flyers and cards. The cards and flyers consisted of several different deals ranging from oil changes to discounted food. Members printed out hundreds of flyers and split up into groups distributing the flyers through neighborhoods that surrounded the Redwood campus. Members then sold the DECA Deals Card throughout the semester to students, advisors, family, and friends.

State Conference

Each year the state conference is held in a different college or university. This conference or competition is a little different than the previous ones. For this competition students work individually. Students chose the categories they wanted to compete in prior to arrival. Upon arrival, students took a test that correlated with the category they chose. The tests were graded and affected the final score. The students then were presented their case study and given a limited amount of time to come up with a resolution, and prepare a short presentation. The students then presented their findings to the judges. These presentations were shortly followed by the award ceremony. SLCC placed well in multiple categories including Hospitality and Tourism, Entrepreneurship and Finance.

International Career Development Conference

This conference is held in a different state each year, typically Florida or Washington. Students gather together from all over the world. Students are able to select from multiple categories, similar to the options offered in the state conference. Students who placed in the top three ranks at state are chosen who compete in the same categories one again, on an international level. ICDC also offers other competitions that general members are able to participate in.

Students are either divided into groups are compete individually. On the first day they learned about their case study and created their presentations. The next day we presented the findings to the judges. After presenting, they had the rest of the day to site-see and enjoy Orlando. The last day of the competition the students gathered for the award ceremony.

Build-A-Bear

SLCC Collegiate DECA members were given gift cards to Build-A-Bear. Members gathered together and created bears for the children at Shriners Hospital. They then took the bears Shriners Hospital and gave them to the children. The experience was very rewarding and the children were very appreciative.

Resources:

Click here to view the DECA website