There is a big difference between cake and that dark fudge molten lava cake that melts on the tongue. The difference between our beloved foods is something most high school students are immensely knowledgeable about and is something very near and dear to their hearts. Now use this understanding and apply it to clubs; think about all the people that love the organizations that most students know nothing about, because for all they know those same organizations are just plain old vanilla cake that does not look good to them. They might just be missing out on their favorite food.

For instance, DECA is one such mystery for teenagers. The club primarily works with students on enhancing marketing, finance, hospitality, and management skills to help them with whatever they wish to do in college or the business world. DECA students not only work on many volunteer projects for the school at events including the faculty basketball game and Truck-or-Treat but also go to competitions all over the country. For example this year, the international contest (ICDC) will be held in Orlando Florida. Many students though do not realize how important clubs are to the school as they believe events and activities will always be there and do not see the impact it can have on other students.

“DECA is important to school because we do community service and give students, with an interest in marketing, a group to belong to,” said Kimberly Schrader, who not only is in charge of the club along with her student officers but also the teacher for marketing classes here at Ray-Pec. DECA also helps its students get active and prepare for future, all the while building their resume and experience bank.

“Students can expect fun, networking, and preparing themselves for the professional business world,” said Schrader when asked what students should expect from the program. DECA members will be preparing for contests by taking practice tests and role plays in addition to building on the four points of the DECA diamond; academics (business/marketing), career readiness, community service, build leadership skills.

This club is also unique in how students enroll. Although all students are welcome, the club does have a couple requirements. These include being in a marketing class and paying due which cost $12. Meeting for members aren’t required though student officers do meet once a week in the morning either on Wednesdays or Fridays.

Hopefully this cleared up some of the foggy rumors about DECA and all those unknown clubs in general. After all, just because something is unknown does not mean it is not worth knowing about.