SPHS DECA RECOGNIZED FOR THRIVE LEVEL CHAPTER CAMPAIGNS 

December 23rd,  2025, by Vice President of Marketing Diana Alzina Gomez

San Pasqual High School (SPHS) DECA has been officially awarded the Thrive Level Chapter Campaign and Achievement Level Membership Campaign for the 2025-2026 school year. These results, recently announced on decadirect.org, place the SPHS chapter in an elite group of student organizations recognized for building robust local programs that serve an exceptional number of members, advisors, alumni, and business partners. Of the thousands of DECA chapters worldwide, SPHS was one of only 1,188 to achieve this status, a testament to the extraordinary commitment of the chapter’s student leaders and their advisor, Amber Vandewarker.

The chapter’s success was rooted in a strategic membership campaign designed to make the DECA experience accessible to more students while keeping alumni and professional partners engaged. The momentum began on September 26, 2025, during the annual Club Rush, where cabinet members successfully recruited a new wave of student leaders. To further professionalize the chapter, the team launched a new SPHS DECA Website, creating a digital hub for parents and international chapters to learn about CTE opportunities and make donations. This expansion was supported by alumni like Olivia Garcia, Jacob Whitney, and Lena Devine, who transitioned from chapter leaders to professional mentors, illustrating the lifelong value of the program as they pursue careers at top-tier universities like UC Berkeley and CU Boulder.

A cornerstone of DECA’s promotional campaign is providing members with opportunities to share the organization's impact with the broader community. This year, SPHS DECA members traveled to Bear Valley Middle School for a College & Career Spotlight Presentation. Speaking to approximately 800 students, the cabinet members shared their personal stories and historical backgrounds to inspire middle schoolers to pursue their own academic and extracurricular goals. This spirit of outreach continued on campus as members Diana Alzina, Rachel Hodgson, and Misha Patel conducted subject-oriented presentations in freshman math and business classes throughout December 2024 and September 2025. By connecting DECA principles to classroom curriculum, they helped peers see the real-world application of their studies.

The chapter also deepened its ties to the local business community through its Community Outreach and Sponsorship series. On November 3, 2025, member Juliet Lopez invited professionals from Marcus & Millichap to speak on marketing strategies and personal branding. These professional interactions were paired with a successful fundraising drive that secured fourteen generous business sponsorships from across San Diego County, ensuring the chapter’s financial stability for the competitive season.

Beyond professional development, SPHS DECA demonstrated a profound commitment to community service. In January 2025, Elizabeth Hobi and Leo Alfaro orchestrated a massive cleanup at Kit Carson Park, mobilizing volunteers to beautify the local trails and athletic fields. The year of service culminated in a Spark of Love Toy Drive led by Vice President Elissa Seiver. Between October 27 and November 6, 2025, the chapter publicized the drive through interactive classroom presentations and social media, ultimately raising over 15 bags of toys for local youth in Escondido.

Earning recognition in the top tier of the 4,000+ DECA chapters globally is a significant milestone for San Pasqual High School. By meeting the rigorous requirements for the community service, promotional, and membership campaigns, the chapter has earned a commemorative pennant and the opportunity to participate in the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, this April. This year of achievement proves that SPHS DECA members are not just students, but academically prepared, community-oriented, and professionally responsible leaders ready to make an impact on the world.