Spring Valley’s DECA is currently preparing for the annual State Career Development Conference where members of the club can showcase their skills in various business areas.
DECA is a Business Club that specializes in Business Management, Finance, Marketing and Entrepreneurship. SCDC is an event where DECA members from across Nevada have three days of competition, workshops, meeting fellow DECA members, and other opportunities.
“To prepare for SCDC, this year I’ve started the process of practicing for state much earlier. Last year, students didn’t really start preparing until January, and that proved stressful for members,” club president Mark Marchlewski said.
Students are able to choose an event and prepare their skills as when SCDC comes along they will have to showcase their skills. Depending on the area of skill chosen, students will be given a short amount of time to prepare for a scenario given to them shortly before. Students must showcase their speaking and innovation skills to a judge where they have the chance to place and be invited to the International Career Development Conference.
“The thing I am most excited about for State is to compete with all the young entrepreneurs,” Steven Fidanque said.
Meeting every Friday after school, DECA members study scenarios and role plays that could possibly be given to them at state in addition to receiving news about the club.
“I am excited to actually enter a DECA conference for the first time since it’s interesting to show up and see what you know, and then pursue it if you find it interesting,” Noah Dee said.
Last year only 4 students from Spring Valley DECA qualified for ICDC. In hopes of making this number increase, students started preparing for their events early into the school year and have been spending time during meetings to study for their events.
“Honestly I believe that we will do great at state this year but overall we are trying to improve and move forward as that is the most important factor,” vice president Corey Noble said.
In addition to attending SCDC, Spring Valleys DECA will be riding the Rio ZipLine and viewing The Strip from the top of the Rio for team bonding.
“DECA is so much more than a club and sport, it’s a family and life-lasting memory that provides so many opportunities. The people you meet, the scholarships you qualify for, and the excellent reputation that DECA has on College Applications — there’s really no other club or sport like it,” Marchlewski said.
