During my sophomore year, I was incredibly grateful to be trained for the role of Nolensville High School’s DECA President (2023-2025). Over my junior and senior years, I’ve had the honor of leading our chapter to new heights, breaking school records for the most students advancing past the district level to compete at the state level.

As president, I took on the responsibility of training and mentoring students in presentation skills, professional dress codes, and how to confidently present themselves in a business setting. I spent countless hours leading workshops, where I helped students refine their public speaking skills, perfect their delivery, and gain confidence in their ability to communicate ideas effectively. Teaching others how to carry themselves professionally, from the way they dress to how they speak, was one of the most rewarding parts of the role.

Beyond presentation skills, I also trained members on using websites and finding resources to help them succeed in competitions. I spent time reviewing and grading essays and presentations, giving detailed feedback to help students improve before they competed. Seeing their progress and watching them succeed at the state level was an incredibly fulfilling experience.

One of the biggest highlights of my time as president was attending the International DECA competition. It was truly the most fun and eye-opening experience, where I had the opportunity to connect with other passionate students from around the world.

Being DECA President has been one of the most incredible leadership experiences of my life. It has taught me not only how to present myself professionally but also how to lead, inspire, and help others grow. This role has shaped me in ways I never expected, and I am so grateful for the experience.

Aside from leading my team to success, I’ve also had incredible personal achievements through DECA. During my freshman year, despite having no prior marketing classes, I competed at the district level in the entrepreneurship category and won. This early success gave me the confidence to push myself further in the organization.

In my junior year, I took on a more challenging category, competing in the Startup Business Plan event. After months of preparation, I placed 7th in the state, an accomplishment that was both exciting and eye-opening. This experience taught me valuable lessons about competition, preparation, and the importance of refining my business strategies.

Now, in my senior year, I am competing in the Startup Business Plan category once again. Learning from my mistakes last year, I am more determined than ever to refine my plan, elevate my presentation, and push myself to compete at the international level. This journey has been one of growth, resilience, and continuous learning, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.

During my sophomore year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the DECA Leadership Academy, where I learned directly from experienced DECA leaders about what it takes to be an effective chapter leader. This experience helped me refine my leadership style, improve my ability to mentor others, and take my professionalism to the next level. It was a pivotal moment in my DECA journey, equipping me with the skills and confidence to lead my chapter successfully. 

My journey into DECA started with the guidance of my amazing marketing teacher, Mrs. White. In my sophomore year, I was placed in my school’s marketing pathway and took Marketing 1, a dual credit class where I earned college credit for Intro to Business. This class sparked my creativity as I learned about design, economics, and business principles, and we also read Who Moved My Cheese, which gave me a new perspective on adaptability in business.

In my junior year, I advanced to Marketing 2, where I wrote a full business plan for a food truck concept and refined my resume and professional skills. This project gave me hands-on experience in business planning and strategy.

Now, in my senior year, I’m part of the Work-Based Learning program, working at The Knights Stop, my school’s student-run snack store. This has taught me valuable skills in teamwork, customer service, and retail operations. As part of my role, I manage the store schedule, assigning shifts and delegating closing tasks to keep the shop running smoothly. This hands-on experience has been an incredible way to apply my marketing knowledge in a real-world setting.