Students from the Saline County Career Center traveled to the Missouri DECA Fall Leadership Conference in Osage Beach, on October 29 and 30. The conference provided students with an opportunity to participate in leadership and educational workshops, practice for competitive events, and learn skills to develop their leadership potential.

The Saline County Career Center DECA advisor Kerry Henley co-presented a workshop called “Chapter Officer Training” with fellow advisors along with CRVP Holly Huston who presented on identifying leadership styles in order to be a productive chapter officer.

Bailey Kueker, the Missouri State Vice President of Membership and a member of the Missouri State Action Team, presented on “So You Want to Be a State Officer” and helped with the opening and closing sessions.

During the conference, district vice president elections took place for all 12 Missouri DECA districts. District 4, which the Saline County Career DECA Chapter is a part of, had the most DVP candidates. There were four candidates vying for the position.

SCCC DECA President Michelle Lin ran for District Vice President for district 4 against three other candidates and won her campaign. She will now represent Missouri DECA District number 4 at district, state, and international conferences and help the district achieve its goals for the year. SCCC DECA is the only Missouri chapter to have a National, State, and District officer all in the same year.

DECA is an international association of high school students studying marketing, finance, hospitality and management. The state affiliate of the DECA Inc. organization is the Career and Technical Student Organization for Missouri. Missouri DECA is a nationally recognized association with over 7,000 members. There are 12 DECA districts and 153 DECA chapters in Missouri.

Photo courtesy of Kerry Henley