Adiana (Davianna) Valquez, a DECA student from West Point High School, told the Tolleson Union High School District governing board that her team seeks permission to stay at the state conference hotel for the Arizona DECA state competition Feb. 27–March 1, saying overnight hotel stays would reduce late‑night travel, safety risks and fatigue.

Valquez said the chapter has fundraised and is not requesting additional district funds; she recounted that last year the team received verbal approval from the CTE director to stay at the conference hotel but was later denied in writing. She told the board the district funds meals and transportation for 20 students and asked staff to explain the discrepancy between earlier verbal approval and the recent written denial. “It’s about our health because it’s from early in the morning to around 11 p.m. at night for three days straight,” Valquez said, arguing that staying at the hotel would reduce risk and help students perform.

Valquez and her mother, Michelle Velasquez, described students sleeping on convention‑center floors when overnight lodging is not permitted and asked the district to reconsider the request. Valquez said conference registration closes Jan. 30 and urged a timely response. She also said the chapter can cover the hotel cost and that staying at the hotel could reduce overall district expenses related to multiple same‑day trips.

Vice President Steven Chapman asked district staff to follow up and said he would coordinate superintendent and operations staff to resolve logistics; Chapman told the speakers staff would return with answers in the next few days. No formal board action was taken at the meeting; staff were asked to investigate and report back before the registration deadline.