“I joined DECA my sophomore year of high school in 2014 and competed at the district and state level. The next year I competed with my partner Sarah Roach at the district and state level, and then went on to be awarded leadership spots to attend ICDC in Nashville in 2016. Our senior year, Sarah and I competed in the “Buying and Merchandising Operations Research” category partnering with a local cancer treatment product company that was near and dear to our hearts. We ultimately won 2nd place at ICDC 2017 in Anaheim and it felt like a dream. My favorite memories of DECA are hanging out in Symmes’s classroom for long hours and working on our presentations. DECA gave me the business experience that propelled me into my marketing and sales roles after college, and I will always be grateful for the amazing memories and friends I made through this organization.”

— Athena, when asked about her DECA journey