Buchholz High School students from the Academy of Entrepreneurship recently attended the Florida DECA Emerging Leaders Conference in St. Petersburg. It has been three years since we have been able to gather with DECA members from around the state. Altogether, 43 students from the Buchholz Academy of Entrepreneurship attended the conference, where they networked with 333 fellow DECA members, engaged in workshops on public speaking, teamwork, and delivering an elevator pitch for a unique product. Buchholz DECA is very proud to have such committed students that help improve the organization.
This year Buchholz DECA had a mission to increase opportunity for members to participate in DECA events beyond competition. To increase affordability of leadership conferences such as this, students were able to use their professional communication skills to solicit sponsorships from local businesses to help fund their costs for this conference. The group is thankful that the generosity of the following businesses helped make this experience possible for several of our members: All Star Sports Cards and Comics, Dr. Brendan Mangan (Veterinary Ophthalmologist), Cabana Beach, Chadwell Supply, Duct Doctor, Jimmy Ho Photography, Milestones in the Making, Orta’s Painting, Angler’s Inn and Clamps Down Trucking. Thanks to their generosity and investment in our youth, several students were able to take advantage of leadership training.
The Buchholz DECA chapter also received third place in the Florida DECA “Helping Hands” community service project for their sock donations to “Hannah’s Homeless”. Buchholz DECA members participated in a penny wars competition between classes to raise money to purchase 1,092 pairs of socks. The organization thanks Buchholz Cabinet and the Buchholz Gay-Straight Alliance clubs for their donations to this worthy cause.
DECA is an international Career and Technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA supports preparing students to become Academically Prepared, Experienced Leaders, Professionally Responsible and Community Oriented. Buchholz DECA chapter advisors are Wendy Rosché and Terry Hoffer.
