why you should join deca
BY SARIKA JARUGUMILLI
DECA Winners. Issuu.
As high school students, we’re constantly looking for ways to stand out, explore our passions, and build skills that will help us succeed beyond the classroom. If you’re a girl with big dreams—whether in business, marketing, fashion, hospitality, or entrepreneurship—DECA is a powerful place to begin your journey.
DECA is more than just a club. It’s a global organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs through hands-on experiences and real-world challenges. At South Forsyth High School, DECA has become one of the largest student-led groups, where young women like us are encouraged to step up, speak out, and show the world what we’re capable of. Whether you're pitching a business plan, analyzing financial statements, or designing a marketing campaign, DECA pushes you to grow professionally and personally.
Kristy Heath, South Forsyth’s DECA advisor, has seen this growth firsthand. “DECA gives students the chance to explore their passions and discover talents they never knew they had,” she says. “It’s amazing to watch young women gain confidence and develop into future leaders, both in and out of the business world.”
What makes DECA truly unique is that the experience doesn’t stop after high school. There’s also Collegiate DECA, which allows you to continue competing, networking, and learning at the university level. Whether you continue on to study business, marketing, or any field that involves leadership and innovation, DECA offers a community and skillset that sticks with you.
Joining DECA means joining a nationwide network of ambitious, forward-thinking students who want to make a difference. It means walking into competitions wearing a blazer and walking out with confidence. It means being part of a sisterhood that supports your ideas and believes in your vision.
For the girls who start businesses, who pitch bold ideas, who imagine a better future—DECA is the place to be. So if you're looking for a place to challenge yourself, lead with confidence, and prepare for a successful future, don’t wait. Join DECA—and start building the future you deserve.
