Guest post by Jessica M, OOHS Senior Marketing student + DECA member

Olentangy Orange graduate of 2017, Maddie Simonds, was very involved with business, especially DECA. Maddie was our DECA chapter President during the 2016-2017 school year, “I got to experience a priceless foundation for the world of business, much of which I use in my day to day operation,” Maddie said. 

Maddie took a lot of general business classes too, according to our current DECA Advisor, Mrs Gellenbeck, “Although I’m new to DECA, it has been fun to be a part of these DECA Alumni interviews and catching up with former students!” claims Mrs Gellenbeck. “Maddie was a rock star in our business program and not only a great student, a fun & compassionate young lady! I have enjoyed keeping in touch with her over the years and watching her grow into a college student and now a working woman!”

Maddie continued to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio at the Farmer School of Business to earn a degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing. Let’s dive into Maddie’s first hand experience and responses to fully learn more.

What are you doing now?

• “I’m currently an area manager for Amazon logistics in Cincinnati, Ohio.”

What were your favorite aspects of DECA?

• “I love the competitions when we get to dress up and play the actual business part. The role plays are things I have seen more than once so that experience at a young age helped me prime me to be successful now.”

Any tips for current DECA members?

• “Jump at every opportunity, it’s a confusing time in choosing what you want to do, but saying yes to any professional opportunity that knocks on your door will set you apart from your peers and really impress senior leadership when you enter the workforce!”

Maddie “then” as an OOHS student and OOHS DECA chapter President…

Maddie “now” as a college graduate and ready for the business world…