For one last time, along with 14 of their peers, DECA presidents and seniors Lily Dumont and Edie Garton are headed to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), where they will compete and connect with other business-minded high schoolers from across the globe.
DECA, or Distributive Education Clubs of America, prepares students for careers in finance, marketing, hospitality and management through competitions and networking. This year, 107 Algonquin students competed at the state level, with Dumont and Garton placing in the top eight in Food Marketing and Retail Merchandising, respectively. This year’s ICDC will take place in Atlanta from April 25 to 28, and it will be Dumont’s third and Garton’s fourth time attending the international competition.
While all of DECA’s work builds to the competitions, the presidents value how the organization has benefited them overall, beyond what is shown at the surface.
“DECA is a business club, but it’s also not limited to just that,” Dumont said. “I think it provides a resource to explore multiple opportunities in the field of business, but also grow your personal skills and your communication.”
During competitions, participants complete role-plays, take exams or present long-term projects in various categories. Dumont and Garton participate in role-plays and exams, which challenge quick thinking, and are involved in the marketing field. Their years of experience help them excel in their categories.
“I feel a lot less nervous now,” Garton said. “I used to get nervous before [role-plays], but now it’s like second nature. I have my plan, and I feel like I know how to do it.”
The presidents’ continuous work in the marketing field has changed their perspectives and helped them find a specific passion in the vast field of business.
“I think DECA has really changed how I communicate… but I also think it opened my perspective up to different opportunities,” Dumont said. “I am surrounded by accountants in my family, so I already had an interest in business, but I didn’t really know what was available.”
Dumont and Garton are friends who joined, and now compete and lead the organization together. Whether mentoring peers or competing internationally, they strive to perform to the best of their ability while also inspiring and reminding others to have fun.
“I thought we [did] great at States,” Garton said. “It was really fun. The competition was a bit harder this year. We had 16 qualify [for ICDC], and we usually have about 30, so it definitely was a little more competitive, but it’s always a great time.”
Among those who competed at States, senior Blue Tang, competing in Accounting Applications, and Dumont won first place in their categories. Garton is excited for ICDC and prefers the highest level of competition because of the professional atmosphere and the ability to meet people of different backgrounds, all while becoming closer with their team.
“[ICDC] differs from States because it’s just so much competition nationally,” Garton said. “I remember when I was a freshman I met someone from Germany… You meet people from all over and people have different approaches in their competition. So, I would say that [ICDC] definitely gets harder, but it’s also more diverse.”
Dumont strives to work hard but also enjoy the experience that ICDC brings. She looks forward to seeing how the team will represent Algonquin this year.
“We’re hoping that, on the DECA side of it, people are able to show up and do their best to represent Gonk and improve their own DECA skills,” Dumont said.
Since becoming presidents two years ago, the girls have learned and grown significantly as leaders and role models.
“We’re leading this club of over 200 kids,” Dumont said. “So, it’s been a learning experience of how to adapt… and make plans work for so many people and learn how to accommodate different learning levels. It’s really helped with my ability to be more confident in myself and in the decisions I make.”
Throughout their time in DECA, Dumont and Garton have grown dedicated to the club. The presidents have learned immensely and are looking forward to their final ICDC competition, hoping it will put a satisfying end to their generational run before others take over their role.
“We’ve been presidents for two years, so there’s the leadership aspect of it,” Garton said. “We’re going to be passing the torch this year.”
