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DECA students ask district to make national competition travel more accessible and support advisors
Summary
Two Lincoln Southeast students who competed at the DECA International Career Development Conference urged the board to consider policy and financial supports that reduce barriers to national competitions and to recognize unpaid costs borne by volunteer advisors.
Two Lincoln Southeast students addressed the board during public comment May 13 about barriers students face attending national Career and Technical Student Organization events and the unpaid costs advisors often cover.
Jack Castle and Beau Castle, juniors at Lincoln Southeast High School, described competing at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Orlando and said 9 of 13 LPS students placed in the top 20% of their events. They told the board the experience blends real-world learning, networking and professional growth, but that getting to national competitions often required months of extra work to navigate approval processes and costs. “When students take the initiative, deliver the results, and earn international recognition, we believe that deserves real support, not just permission,” Jack Castle said.
The students said many DECA advisors pay their own way to these conferences and those costs frequently fall on students, limiting access for some. They asked the district to consider ways to make travel and participation more accessible — for example, providing advisor funding or reviewing policies that delay student participation. The board thanked the students for their remarks; the item was public comment and did not prompt immediate board action.
