Competition

We are always looking for professionals - especially in the fields outlined in the list below. If any of these items are something you have a particular skill set, experience, expertise, and/or training in, please complete the form. If you have any questions about what being a volunteer involves, you can contact the Chapter Advisor. We would love for you to be a Judge. Judges can work at district, state, and the international (ICDC) level; however, you need to work through the levels prior to advancing. For example, a first time Judge ordinarily could not start at ICDC without experience. It would be unfair to the judge and students; however, if the same Judge wanted to work district, state, and ICDC in the same year, s/he could advance all within the school year.

Most Judges only elect to work one shift; however, if I am personally braving traffic (they cover parking), I am going to stay more than a few hours. Plus, they give you breakfast and/or lunch, endless amounts of coffee (we had Starbuck’s at state in 2019), plus all the snacks I can eat, and DECA swag bags…. Why would we leave? I always sign up for the morning and afternoon sessions, but you can pick one if you have prior commitments. Everyone’s assistance, no matter if it is perceived as big or small, makes an impact.

If you would like to help and you love to read, you could be one of our Judges for a written or virtual event. All of the materials are given to them along with detailed instructions on how to score the presentations and penalty points.

Chaperones

We are often in need of Chaperones as well. You will need to submit background check information prior to the event which can take additional time. I encourage you to reach out to the advisor now if you are interested in being a chaperone.

Since there is a staff-student ratio that must be met, sometimes Teachers have to take off in order to attend. In the wake of the pandemic when every minute in the classroom matters, it is best to leave the kids in the classroom with people that are familiar with them and their lessons.

A lot of Chaperones, myself included, have pulled double or triple duty depending upon how you count. I don’t want to ride the bus down there, eat lunch with them (where shenanigans typically occur), and then ride the bus home just to sit idly by all day long. I make the best of my time by judging in the morning and afternoon while they are all busy. It is a win-win-win! I don’t have to drive, figure out parking, or pay for gas this way either. I also know that with Mr. Chiles in charge, there is ZERO chance that I will be late.

This also frees up Advisors to do last minute coaching and other tasks as needed during the day. Our Advisor is usually assigned to making group announcements because he has a large voice that carries through the halls and walls. He lines up students prior to the events and ushers the lines along.

Donations

Unfortunately, what part of the students are learning is that virtually everything in this world comes with a price. Sometimes, it is a very big price tag. We will happily take checks with donations written in the note section that are made out to Independence High School DECA.

Read more about sponorship and partnering with us by clicking below.

Your Support

Financial support alone is not enough to get students through school.  This is nothing new; research has proven time and time again that often more barriers emerge once a student has started to pursue their education. While additional grants can help alleviate some of these stresses, it can be more difficult to address abstract needs like belonging and connection. That is where family, friends, and DECA come in.

DECA is a wonderful program because it is not extracurricular, but by the students’ excitement you wouldn’t ever know. It is co-curricular which means that its activities, programs, and learning experiences complement what students are learning in school. DECA even releases lesson plans for Teachers and study guides to students that mirror the academic curriculum while preparing them for competition.

Co-curricular activities fuel your learning by stimulating creative thought; improving your social and organizational skills; developing your interests and talents; and offering you the chance to change course and try something new that they might not have even known they were passionate about. How many of us changed our major in college? DECA gives real world examples of what their careers in these fields are going to be like. Sometimes, they may find it isn’t a good fit. Considering that change could cost their parents approximately $50,000 and two additional years of their child’s life in college, I think DECA is a wonderful investment.

Students who feel supported at home and make significant connections with their peers, staff, and faculty are more likely to thrive, both academically and professionally. You can help establish these important connections by guiding personal and professional development and helping your student access the resources they need. Students with support at home to explore their opportunities have a higher job satisfaction after college. The true value of DECA lies in the life skills cultivated through the relationships that are nurtured and built.

So, the members may come home tired, hungry, a little frustrated, and even hurt or disappointed some days; however, we believe that they are learning to take everything to the next level and maximize their potential because DECA’s don’t quit. We often learn more from our failures than our successes and we can’t always win everything. Please support and encourage them to keep going and don’t stop. Never quit!