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Harding DECA students describe international competition experience and growth of chapter
Summary
DECA co‑presidents Lydia Price and Angie Reyes presented to the Marion City Schools board about the program's growth, a gold certification for the school's student‑run coffee shop and students' experiences at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).
Two Harding High School DECA students, Lydia Price and Angie Reyes, presented their chapter's recent activities and results to the Marion City Schools Board of Education on May 29.
Why it matters: The presentation highlighted student leadership, hands‑on career learning and measurable growth in participation at district, state and international competitions.
What students reported Lydia Price and Angie Reyes described DECA as "Distributive Education Clubs of America," a nonprofit that runs competitive events and leadership activities for students interested in business and marketing. Angie Reyes (identified in the meeting as a DECA co‑president and vice president of marketing) and Lydia Price (vice president of finance and SBE operations) summarized participation growth: the chapter sent 16 students to districts in 2023 and 41 students to district competition this school year, with 22 advancing to state and six qualifying for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando; three students attended ICDC in person.
Student‑run enterprise and recognitions The Harding Brew, a student‑run coffee shop and the chapter's school‑based enterprise (SBE), earned a gold certification from DECA. The presenters said only 851 of 4,237 high school DECA chapters worldwide earned gold certification and that only 21 chapters in Ohio achieved gold that year; the certification qualified students to attend an SBE Academy at ICDC.
Student comments and board reaction Both students described benefits including improved presentation skills, time management, leadership and resume experience. Angie told the board she completed an internship with Goodwill during the summer to work with marketing and video production. Board members praised the students and the DECA advisor, noting the chapter's growth as evidence of successful programming.
Next steps Board members asked administration to continue sharing student trip reports to highlight the district's extracurricular and career‑technical successes.
