Despite moving online, DECA, the Distributive Education Clubs of America, has been able to function smoothly.  DECA is a yearly competition that consists of two different sections:  written events consist of 5-20 page papers role plays,  involve receiving a prompt the day of the competition and getting a limited amount of time to work.  

The group meets every week to check in on plans for projects and mock role plays.  Even though in many other schools DECA is an entire class, Blake has consistently found success in competitions in the past.  Due to an abrupt departure of one of the advisors of the club, David Zalk ’66 has been helping out this year.  

Elle McCarty ’21, manager of the club and three year DECA veteran, reminisces on the fun experiences she has had at previous events, saying “[I] feel bad for new members because they cannot experience the over the top events” Typical DECA events include thousands of students, and  “stupidly over-the-top award ceremonies.”  

This year, the competition consists of submitting a recording of the submission to judges to avoid the normally over-crowded nature of competitions.  But there are also some positives to this way.  DECA members can re-record their videos and have more time.

Cayden Liao ’24, who has tried DECA for the first time, says that “it’s really weird, especially looking at the reviews they say that going in-person is really fun, and that is what I was expecting and preparing for.”