Nineteen Algonquin students traveled to the Orlando Convention Center to compete against students around the world in the Distributive Education Clubs of America’s (DECA) International Career Development Conference (ICDC) on April 26-29. 

Students in DECA pick an area of study and research it for the entirety of the year, while participating in competitions including written tests, projects and role-plays. ICDC is the highest level of competition, and senior Rushil Singh placed ninth in his category, Apparel and Accessories marketing.

“[ICDC] is a really fun environment to be in because there are around 25,000 students from all over the world, but it’s a very collaborative community where we support each other and really get to enjoy our trip while also learning a lot of things about the business world,” Singh said. 

In addition to being one of the most successful Algonquin students at ICDC, Singh helps lead underclassmen to achieve the same level of success in a variety of ways.

“[I] was hopefully able to impact people to pursue business or try hard in DECA and learn from DECA, as well as serving as a peer mentor to people and just really fostering a collaborative environment, both in and out of Algonquin DECA,” Singh said. 

Another influential leader is junior Co-President Lily Dumont who also participated in ICDC and was recognized as a top performer in role-play. Her experience in DECA has provided many opportunities and insight for the club.

“I really loved that DECA has given people the opportunity to improve their leadership skills and their ability to network, their ability to talk, their ability to improvise and work on their feet,” Dumont said.

Through DECA, Dumont has also discovered what she enjoys as well as what she wants to continue doing in her future. 

“I signed up for DECA my freshman year, and I really thought it was interesting to learn more about business because I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do,” Dumont said. “I have now decided that I want to go into the field of business.”

DECA is a club where Dumont believes she can better herself as well as others simultaneously, helping everyone conquer their struggles that emerge along the way. 

“Doing your first role-play and everything for the first time is just really new and nerve-wracking,” Dumont said. “I think if you talk to any person in DECA, [they would say] after you do it one time, you feel so much more confident and realize it’s not as bad as you think it’s gonna be. I still get nervous between every competition, but you learn to adapt to it, and it gets better as you go along.”

While at ICDC, the students did more than just compete, it was also a chance to celebrate how far all the competitors have come and enjoy the experiences while they are there. 

“We got to go to Disney and Universal. I really enjoyed Universal,” Dumont said. “We got to dress up as Hogwarts houses, and we got to go on the Velocicoaster and a bunch of the Universal rides, which was really cool. We also got to spend time by the pool, and just in the sun; it was much better than the snow here that we were facing a week before.” 

Junior Yifon Tang also had influential experiences at DECA and ICDC that opened up new doors and created unforgettable memories. Tang placed sixth at ICDC in one of the most challenging series, Accounting. 

“[DECA is] more than just a competitive organization; it’s a place full of unforgettable memories, electrifying experiences and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” Tang said. 

DECA brings both challenges and opportunities to the table for Tang, but in the end, the many experiences assist them in the future. 

“DECA challenges you to push beyond your comfort zone, helping you grow in confidence, adaptability, and leadership,” Tang said. “You’ll make new friends, build a sense of community and gain valuable life skills.”

In addition to the peers that Tang has built connections with, she also credits her advisors for the success of the club and values the connections she has created with them. 

“One of the best parts of my DECA experience has been our amazing chapter advisors, Ms. Hesemeyer and Mrs. Norman,” Tang said. “They go above and beyond to support us, always putting students first.” 

Math teacher and DECA advisor Lauren Hesemeyer dedicates a great deal of her time to DECA, and compares it to a sport due to its competitive and team-focused nature. 

“We are truly there to support each other, and that’s what we encourage throughout the year,” Hesemeyer said. “We train our kids to be supportive, just like at any track meet or football game. I consider anyone who’s not on stage to be the fans. It is truly a sport, an academic sport.” 

Reflecting back, Hesemeyer believes this was a significant year for DECA.

“It was one of our most successful years that we have had in a while,” Hesemeyer said. “To have that many kids make it [to ICDC] is such a big deal.”

This year, DECA began with 224 initial student competitors, 94 qualified for the state competition, and of those, 19 students earned and accepted a spot at ICDC, going on to compete with their fellow club and world-wide members. Throughout the year they created a community forming memories along the way. 

“DECA gave me opportunities I never thought I’d have, but the people made it unforgettable,” Tang said.