Are you looking to get involved in the Myers Park community through competition, community service, leadership, and more? Consider joining DECA! DECA has over 200 members, and it allows marketing students to apply the skills they learn to develop their education outside the academic sphere. Members of the club participate in the annual district competition in November and can compete in the state conference in February, where there is the opportunity to qualify to attend the International conference. Myers Park senior Christopher Mallis, who has served as one of six North Carolina DECA State Officers and is the Metrolina Region Vice President, detailed his DECA experience, saying, “I chose to get involved in DECA to help prepare myself for college and my future endeavors. DECA is much more than just a business and marketing club, which is why I believe anybody and everyone should join and see all the benefits that come with it.”
Mallis has been involved in DECA since his freshman year, and he served as a chapter officer for Myers Park’s branch of DECA during his junior year. He was also elected and has served as one of six North Carolina DECA State Officers for North Carolina DECA. His leadership in this position marks an astonishing 40 years since another student from Myers Park has been a DECA State Officer. Mallis’ work with DECA encompasses involvement within the immediate Mecklenburg county and beyond, as he notes that he has “visited other CMS schools to help promote DECA, and has traveled to states around the country including Georgia and Utah to attend leadership development conferences where I had the opportunity to network with other DECA members, some of which I have become friends with.”
During the 2022-2023 school year, Myers Park’s chapter of DECA has prioritized increasing their scores at the district and state-level competitions. This year’s DECA state conference involved nearly 100 competing students from Myers Park and 4,000 students from all areas of North Carolina. These students traveled to Greensboro to network, visit college and career booths, and compete in qualifying for the International Career Development Conference. Higher scores at the state conference give students a better chance of winning a medal or trophy, and each student’s goal is to place in the top 5 at the state competition because this guarantees them a spot at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). The ICDC will take place on April 5th in Orlando, Florida this year and offer qualifying students the opportunity to compete and develop their leadership skills further. Additionally, students attending the ICDC visit Universal Orlando and DisneyWorld while in Orlando.
Participation in DECA is available to any students who are taking or have successfully completed a marketing class at Myers Park. Mallis details the benefits of joining DECA noting, “Even if you are not interested in pursuing a career in business or marketing, the club provides great lifelong learning opportunities that will set yourself apart from others in college applications, job interviews, internships, and more.”
As a senior closing out his four-year career in DECA, Mallis expressed his gratitude towards the club, stating, “I can confidently say that DECA has improved my life and many others for the better. DECA is by far the best club to join because it combines the aspects of many clubs into one. You can participate in competition, community service, leadership, and educational opportunities all in one club.” Mallis also notes that he has been able to develop various critical skills during his time in DECA, such as public speaking, team collaboration, critical thinking, productivity, and responsibility. If you’re looking to join a fun, skill-building, and involved club in the Myers Park community, be sure to check out DECA!