Guest post by Maithreyi M, OOHS Junior Marketing student + DECA member

Former Marketing and DECA member that graduated in 2010, Hannah Pfau, was very involved in our business program at OOHS! In fact, she was our very first OOHS DECA President in 2008 and got to be the face of OOHS DECA. “We had to represent Olentangy Orange as a DECA chapter, make ourselves known…We were the first DECA class at Orange and we had to do it loud and proud!” Hannah said. 

An interesting fact about Hannah is that she used to play soccer at Orange, and loves to play volleyball now! After high school, Hannah continued her studies at Taylor University in Indiana, and graduated in 2014. Let’s look more into Hannah’s experience with DECA.

What has been your journey after graduating from Orange?

“ I went to a small school in Indiana, Taylor University, and majored in corporate communications and minored in entrepreneurship and management. I was a resident advisor for two years, and part of their admission crew. That led me to be an Admissions Counselor for two years. Later I decided to come back to Ohio. The River is something I grew up listening to and when I saw that they had a role in their development team, I applied and was hired. I worked on the development team for five years until I became the full time on-air morning show host!”

What is your favorite DECA memory?

“ In 2008 we had to represent Orange at DECA for the first time and I had just been voted President. I had to go up on stage and accept the welcome from the district. As I walked up, somebody from our class started playing an anthem that sent a message that “we have arrived” to declare that this new DECA chapter is here to take over. It was great because it amped me up while everyone was cheering as we were all so excited to be part of something bigger.”

How do you think experience with DECA helped you in life?

“I think those competitions were a huge part of it; Being able to think on your feet and being able to think critically is very important. The things you learn in DECA are definitely not common knowledge, like SWOT analysis, so it applies to life and helps relate to humans in a corporate atmosphere. So DECA was key in helping me learn how to relate in the business world.”

What is one piece of advice you would give to DECA students at OOHS?

“Don’t take it for granted. It is incredibly beneficial. Business and marketing is all about people, communication, and relationships. So when you are trying to promote yourself and put yourself further in life, it’s all about how you and I connect and relate with one another as people and friends in this community. Life is not transactional, it’s all about how we uplift and encourage one another.”

Hannah is now “The Morning Show” On Air personality and the Development Coordinator at the River Radio, here in Columbus.

Thanks for your time, Hannah!