DVC DECA Places at CA Conference and Earns Opportunity to Participate in International Conference Leadership Academy
By Jeanette Arteaga, Da Vinci Communications Class of 2021 and DVC DECA President
Six DECA members from Da Vinci Communications high school were recently recognized at the 2021 California DECA State Career Development Conference and will send two of its members to represent the chapter at the International Career Development Conference in April. DECA is a career and technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs looking to gain experience in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges all over the world. At DVC, DECA is integrated into the two-year Marketing Pathway as part of the school’s career pathways program.
All 29 members of DVC’s DECA chapter competed at the State Career Development Conference on February 22-March 11, 2021, which is the largest California DECA event of the year. Members from across California gathered for competitions, workshops, state officer campaigns, and networking opportunities. To be successful in competition, students needed to demonstrate mastery of core marketing principles and concepts on a timed exam, write and present cohesive 10-page marketing plans and business innovation concept papers for judging by industry professionals, and develop thoughtful presentations responding to real-life marketing scenarios.
DVC DECA Advisor and Marketing Pathway teacher Deepti Reim guided her students to success over the past school year by helping them prepare their written event papers and presentations, and practice for the role-play presentations and the marketing cluster exam. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s conference was fully virtual, so all work for the competition was submitted electronically for judging.
The DVC chapter had six students recognized at the Awards Ceremony on March 11th:
- Jessika Donis (11) and Jaylon Jones (11) – 1st place in the Integrated Marketing Campaign (Services) Presentation
- Ajana Williams (12) – 5th place overall in the Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan
- Jeanette Arteaga (12) and Matthew Garcia (12) – 10th place overall in the Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan
- Jeanette Arteaga (12) – 10th place in the Food Marketing Series Role Play 2
- Christy Voge (12) – 7th place in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series Role Play 1
“DECA has been an amazing opportunity for me to test my limits and see what I’m capable of doing,” said Jessika Donis. “It’s exciting knowing the hard work that my partner and I put into this project ended up paying off.”
DVC DECA is among 324 chapters across the nation that achieved THRIVE level recognition this year for its participation in the DECA Chapter Campaign program, and will be commended at DECA’s International Career Development Conference (ICDC) to be held virtually April 19-23. In order to receive THRIVE level recognition, DVC DECA completed the Global Entrepreneurship Week campaign and the community service campaign. DVC DECA President Jeanette Arteaga (12th grade) and member Jaylon Jones (11th grade) will represent the chapter at ICDC’s THRIVE Leadership Academy.
“I’m really looking forward to networking with other individuals in DECA chapters and bringing my leadership skills to the next level at the ICDC THRIVE Leadership Academy,” said Jaylon Jones. “Alongside that, I’m looking forward to representing our growing chapter, and I’m looking to bring back valuable information and skills that will move us forward as a whole.”
The DVC chapter nearly tripled its active membership from the previous school year, and looks forward to welcoming the next generation of marketing and business leaders at DVC in the coming years.
