Guest Post By: Kaitlyn Loadman and Jenna Frase

Ava Cook is an OOHS DECA Alum who graduated in 2024. She competed in the Retail Merchandising series, placing 2nd at districts, 4th at States, and qualifying for ICDC.

What has been your journey since graduating from Orange?

“I am now a second year at Ohio State with a Fashion and Retail Studies Major as well as a Business minor. I have really enjoyed my time here so far in both my academics and free time including clubs and making new friends!”

What is your favorite DECA memory?

“My favorite deca memory is going to ICDC in Anaheim. We got to explore so much around the area and it was my first time traveling to California!” 

What is your biggest takeaway from Orange DECA?

“My biggest takeaway from orange hs deca was to push myself and try new things! I had no intentions of competing at all and decided to give it a shot, and ended up double qualifying for nationals.” 

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

“My experience definitely helped a lot by giving me more confidence in myself and my business endeavors, as well as being a great source for networking and meeting other people.”

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

“One piece of advice I would give is to utilize every piece of information and advice big or small, because it truly matters. How much you put in is how much you will get out of it!” 

How has DECA influenced your career today?

“DECA has been great to discuss with my peers and classmates, as well as advisors. It has given me so much confidence in interviews and dealing with high-pressure situations.”

How do you use what you learned in DECA today?

“I still use my strategies from my individual role-play in interviews I have as well as presentations in class. I also still use much of the information learned in high school in my marketing classes currently.”

What were your favorite aspects of DECA?

“My favorite aspect was the community and creativity. I felt like no other club or extracurricular in high school could give me the same results or success that deca was able to get me. I also had so many friends made from the program!”

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

“I have friendships through DECA that are still going strong, as well as a better overall foundation in myself. I feel more prepared for my future and career options knowing I put in the work not only in college but also high school to build my skill set and teach myself new things.”