For senior and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) President Alex DiGiulio, DECA has been a great learning opportunity for him.
“It’s an incredible experience honestly because it honestly builds not only my personal character, but it also builds my business experience and my knowledge around the business world because it gives me the ability to be able to talk to people better,” DiGiulio said.
On Jan. 31, the 67 Prospect students involved in DECA competed in the North Suburban Regional Conference at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Overall, 24 Prospect students qualified for state, eight students did virtual business challenges and two students wrote and will present research papers.
In the competition, students took an academic exam in a business category such as marketing, accounting, finance, retail merchandising, human resource management or entrepreneurship. After that, they did role plays in which they were given a scenario, and they had to apply the information they’ve learned in class to that role play.
“I love that they get to use our classroom knowledge and apply it to real world situations,” DECA Advisor Andrea Izenstark said.
Additionally, the students felt confident going into the competition.
“It ran smoothly, a lot of kids ended up placing, a lot of kids are going to state and I think we were really well prepared, and it was nice seeing all those kids get up on stage,” DiGiulio, who placed second in marketing with senior Peter Thune, said.
To participate in DECA, a student has to take at least one business class. DECA typically meets after school on Wednesdays, and they have one regional competition and one state competition.
Through DiGiulio’s experience in DECA, it’s been a great outlet for both business and social connections.
“It’s just cool seeing all these people that are interested [in] business because obviously I’m interested [in] business as well,” DiGiulio said, “So it’s just cool to meet all these new people who all share similar interests to [mine].”
