DECA Club wins big

0

The Washington C.H. City Schools DECA Club (Distributive Education Clubs of America) had a big win at the Jan. 29 District contest held in Beavercreek.

The DECA Club is a business-oriented, after school club for freshmen through seniors, coached by David Penwell, who is in his second year as a Great Oaks High School business teacher at Washington High School. Curriculum used with the Club is Great Oaks material. It includes developing a business, writing a proposal, doing a cost-analysis and a market analysis, and knowing strategy management among other things.

Upon successfully completing a long questionnaire, students then go to the District. Here they have 10 minutes to prepare for role-playing a successful solution to a real-life business problem. How could you secure more business for your local flower shop? Another bookstore is moving into your area; how do you retain your current customers and grow more?

These role-plays are performed with a judge who is successful in his/her field: fast food, retail, self-employment, etc. There were a total of 275 students from various schools at this last contest. Forty-seven were from Washington City Schools (13 seniors, 12 juniors, and 22 freshmen and sophomores). Twenty- eight of the 47 placed in the top five, and 23 are going to the state meet on March 18 and 19 in Columbus. From there looms the opportunity to attend the National contest to be held in Nashville, Tennessee in April.

The students and their families must fund these trips themselves. It costs hundreds of dollars for the District meet and close to $1,000 for each student to go to the National meet.

This writer had the honor of talking with four of the students involved with DECA. They were the guest speakers at one of the club’s quarterly advisory council meetings. Their advisory council is the Board of Trustees for the Fayette County Historical Museum.

Nick Funari, president, finds the student outreach to other students makes membership in the DECA club very enjoyable. He has learned a great deal about business practices and hopes it will be an advantage on future job applications.

Branson Moody, vice president of communication, shares he is learning about leadership and marketing skills and enjoys the community services the club provides.

MaryKate VanDyke shared that her “participation and experiences with the club have increased her confidence level.” She also enjoys having the opportunity to meet all kinds of people who are involved in various types of business.

Tyler Hoosier, who thinks “the competitive contests are great fun,” also enjoys meeting new people and sharing his experiences with others.

If you are interested in more information regarding the DECA Club, or if you want more information on how to help sponsor the students, or how to become a judge for the contests, please call David Penwell at 740-636-4112 and leave a message.

Washington City Schools students addressing the DECA Advisory Council are: left to right, Branson Moody, MaryKate VanDyke and Tyler Hoosier. In the forefront is Mitch Culbert, Great Oaks Assistant Dean of Satellites.
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/02/web1_WashingtonityStudentsaddressingtheDECAAdvisoryCouncil.jpgWashington City Schools students addressing the DECA Advisory Council are: left to right, Branson Moody, MaryKate VanDyke and Tyler Hoosier. In the forefront is Mitch Culbert, Great Oaks Assistant Dean of Satellites.

The Washington City Schools DECA Club pictured at the district contest in Beavercreek.
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/02/web1_WashingtonCitySchoolsDECAClub.jpgThe Washington City Schools DECA Club pictured at the district contest in Beavercreek.
Washington City Schools team has success at District contest

By Bev Mullen

For the Record-Herald

No posts to display