Beyond Business: How Liberty’s DECA Program is Shaping Future Leaders

By Bennett Monson and Rowan Sosovec

Liberty’s DECA program has become a cornerstone of the school, evolving into much more than just a class. DECA, short for Distributive Education Clubs of America, offers students the chance to explore entrepreneurship, develop leadership skills and gain real-world business experience. But beyond business, DECA has fostered a tight-knit community where students grow both personally and professionally.

Junior Allyson Geissler shared that the event gives her the opportunity to make friends and demonstrate the skills she has developed over her two years in the competition.

“The most challenging part was the highly competitive nature of DECA state. Sometimes, results are really unfortunate. Nonetheless, people should be encouraged to take DECA because it's a class that will prepare you for the real world," Geissler said. 

Geissler's DECA partner, Kikah Byrd, shared, “People should be encouraged to take DECA because of the leadership opportunities, the community and the skills you learn.”

Byrd also expressed why their work in DECA is important to them. They explained, “My written event was especially important to me because of how much time my partner and I put into it.”

Junior Conner Kolahi-Kochecki said, “I’ve learned so many new things from DECA that have stuck with me, and DECA helps me become a more extroverted and talkative person.”

68 Liberty DECA students competed at the state competition in February. Five students are finalists – Maddy Dahl, Caroline Floyd, Morgan Hoelting, Annya Winsor and Cooper Hinkle. Cooper came in second place in the state of Colorado and will represent Colorado and Liberty in Orlando at the International Conference and Competition in April.