Up and Coming DECA!


 Darrien Brown


DECA, standing for “Distributive Education Clubs of America,” is a global organization that helps prepare the younger generation of leaders and future-seeking business owners for different career fields. The organization was founded in 1946 and has expanded to schools and programs all over the world offering students a variety of opportunities. Today I was able to sit down and talk to Avila’s own DECA president, Susana Mondragon. I got to speak with her about how DECA came about, what they have accomplished, and what they’re doing right here on campus this year!  

Susana is a 4th year Avila Student attending on a wrestling scholarship. She’s not only the DECA president but the Student Government President as well. She describes DECA as a community that values its members and believes everybody is important. She describes DECA as a program that allows you to be a part of an academic group and network not only in your community but all over the states as well. “DECA is a lot of role-playing and public speaking in front of judges or against other people depending on your event” Susana describes it. She explained that there is a lot of practice and preparation time that the DECA team works on to prepare each student best when it is their turn to do their subject and be judged. Susana said she used to work on campus at the “Beak n Bean” in the cafeteria so she is well connected with the student life, and her goal is to have everybody’s insight on the campus, so even the little things like bathrooms she can make better for students and make things easier on campus for them. 

DECA started on campus here at Avila last year around October. Professor Rainey was talking to her students explaining how she used to be in DECA and how she wanted to start a chapter on campus. She told students like Susana to send her email so they can get things going but Susana was very unsure and skeptical and described it as “too much.” Susana attended the first meeting just to try something new and she said it was really fun and enjoyed it. Susana said Professor Rainey explained to her how she was already in college trying to get a degree, so while she is here might as well build your resume up and get that experience. Starting out there were only 8 members and Susana explained how being President of the club the first year taught her how important leadership roles are and how seeing everybody help each other up without weird vibes is enriching. 

DECA is now in its first full year as a program and has a lot of new events planned to get people involved on campus. They have a resume + mock interview coming up on October 9th at 7 pm that also comes with headshots for students! They’re also thinking of having a male pageant and are looking to partner up with the Writing Center, BSU, and of course the SGA as well. With the DECA chapter now having 42 members and SGA with 35 members, Susana thinks that combined with those numbers there is no way the student body will be able to ignore them as president Susana hopes to inspire those coming up in DECA and wants them to never be scared to shoot for the stars and get what they want. Susana plans to join the Army after she graduates and wants to be a donor for the DECA program in the near future since she understands what students have to go through on campus and being a college student in general. She hopes to see DECA thrive this year and for the years to come after laying a strong foundation for the program at Avila.

 (A updated 2023-24 showcase of awards that includes DECA’s achievement on campus)


(Susana Modragon receiving a collegiate DECA award at state in Texas last year of 2023)

Avila DECA in ICDC in Texas enjoying the celebration after placing in their events
(Video provided by Susana Mondragon)

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