DECA

Lakeland High School DECA participated in the DECA District 19 Leadership Conference on Thursday January 5th. Students attending the conference participated in various competitive events. The following students were recognized on stage for their accomplishments:

Sandra Beale will advance to the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference in March.

Congratulations to all students that competed!

NRHS DECA Officers 2005-2006

Nansemond River High School DECA officers for the 2005-2006 include President-Zhana Edmonds, Vice-President Leilani Littlefield, Secretary-Brittney Burks, Treasurer-Brandy Edmonds, Parliamentarian-Breon Clemons, Reporter-Jared Balsor, Historian-Khayla Staehling, and Inspirational Leader-Perry King. The DECA Advisor is Mrs. S. Michele Duncan.

Students learn what it means to “Make a Difference”

What a difference a day makes. One group of Nansemond River High School students know just how true these words can be. On Friday morning DECA members of NRHS’s DECA, along with their teacher, gathered in front of the Autumn Care Nursing Home on Pruden Boulevard to spread holiday cheer to the residents. Dedicating the entire morning, the group visited each resident and gave Holiday spirit.

The DECA members prepared and distributed “Goodie Bags”. The bags had toiletry articles for residents in need. The students decided to participate because it gave them the perfect opportunity to show some of the positive effects young people can have in our society. The students also wanted to encourage volunteerism.

“I want to give the DECA members an opportunity to visit and appreciate the residents” said Duncan “The DECA members have gone to Autumn Care Nursing Home for the past twenty-six years.”

NRHS DECA PROMOTES THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM

Students at a local elementary school were treated to a lesson in business and free enterprise courtesy of the Nansemond River High School DECA Club. Members of the DECA team made the presentation to student ambassadors at Elephants Fork Elementary School.

The activities coincided with a mayoral proclamation which promoted Free Enterprise Week.

Members prepared and went over a packet about the free enterprise system, presented a film, and guided children in making posters that separate and distinguish the differences in goods and services. Khayla Staehling said. “The main purpose of the presentation is to provide students with an understanding about economics and how the American free enterprise system works. The information is geared for the different grade levels we share it with.”

Each student received a goody bag for participating in the presentation. The goods and services theme continues lessons DECA members taught last year about “needs” and “wants”. “These are simple concepts, but the fun activities help show their importance in a free enterprise system,” said DECA Advisor Michele Duncan.

The students also had an opportunity to meet Suffolk Public School’s “Star” mascot, the Chick-Fil-A “Cow”, and Nansemond River High School’s DECA “Dino.”

DECA Operates School Store
Students Learn Basics of Business

The purpose of operating the school store, “The Warriors’ Den” is to help students learn how to incorporate all available resources in setting up a small business. The school store operates on a daily basis throughout the school year. It opens right before school starts, giving students the opportunity to purchase candy, balloons, and school supplies before the day starts.

Students enrolled in Marketing Education, order and design school/community clothing, maintain inventory, and operate the store. The students involved in the operation of the school store have the opportunity to purchase, price and sell products to the student body, faculty, staff and public. The students maintain stock, set up displays, operate a computerized inventory system, and cash register using bar codes. The students also make and deliver a variety of balloon bouquets, design and sell school spirit clothes and spirit items, and maintain business records. This opportunity also gives students the opportunity to learn management skills. They also learn to work under pressure.

Submitted by:

Jared Balsor
NRHS DECA Reporter

LHS Celebrates DECA Day

Virginia DECA day was celebrated at Lakeland High School on Thursday, November 17 (odd classes) and Friday, November 18 (even classes). Since DECA is co-curricular, all students enrolled in a marketing course are members. Members celebrated by participating in team building games. The games played were Balloon Pop Relay, Musical Hula Hoop (similar to musical chairs but substituting a Hula Hoop),and Trust Your Partner, (a game to build trust among members). The classroom celebration was concluded with refreshments.

In order to build awareness of DECA around the school, DECA members hid DECA diamonds throughout the building. When a member of the student body found a diamond, they brought it to one of the marketing classrooms for a prize. School wide announcements were also read on Friday November 18, 2005.

NRHS DECA Hosts Disaster Preparedness Day
At Florence Bowser Elementary School

Mayor Bobby L. Ralph signed a Proclamation which recognized May 22nd thru 28th as Disaster Preparedness Week. On Tuesday, May 24th, Nansemond River High School’s DECA (An Association of Marketing Students) members hosted their DECA Public Relations Project at Florence Bowser Elementary School.

The students, faculty and staff of Florence Bowser Elementary School not only had a real treat, they had an informative educational experience as well, compliments of Nansemond River High School DECA members and the expertise of Suffolk’s Police Fire and Health, State Farm Insurance, Allstate Insurance, American Red Cross, FEMA, and the City of Suffolk.

The DECA members gathered research and materials, met with Advisory Committee members of their Public Relations Project, and worked with local businesses that helped sponsor this project. The DECA members presented the program promoting Disaster Preparedness. They made an informational packet and activities booklet for each student to take home and share with their family. The materials were donated by the Suffolk American Red Cross, Nationwide Insurance, State Farm Insurance, Farm Bureau, Allstate Insurance, Suffolk Police Department, FEMA, and Prudential Life Insurance.

The DECA members researched “disaster preparedness.” They prepared project boards geared towards children from ages five through seven. The project boards were on display at Florence Bowser Elementary School.

Guest speakers for the Fire Safety Day included the following: Suffolk Fire Department, Suffolk Police Department, Suffolk American Red Cross, Suffolk Sheriff’s Department, and State Farm Insurance Agency.

The displays and vehicle tours were conducted by the following: Suffolk Police Department, Suffolk Fire Department, Virginia State Police, Suffolk Sheriff’s Department, and State Farm Insurance Agency. A special appearance was made by the DECA Dino from Nansemond River High School’s DECA.

The American Red Cross provided the Disaster Dudes video tape which was appropriate for elementary school children. State Farm Insurance Agency also provided the 911 Emergency video tape and demonstration kit.

“The chapter members were very excited about working on this project,” said DECA Advisor S. Michele Duncan. “They learned a great deal about disaster preparedness. Businesses as well as the entire City of Suffolk were very aware and supportive of the project and were pleased to see these young people work with Florence Bowser Elementary School.”

What about the “Disaster Preparedness Day” at Florence Bowser Elementary School? The students loved it, the faculty and staff appreciated it and everyone had a positive learning experience. DECA President and member Josh Anderson has been involved the past three years with the public relations project. “I really enjoyed working with the community and school,” said Anderson. “Our DECA club members did an excellent job conducting this project. The students at Florence Bowser Elementary School had a wonderful learning experience.”

Robert Hughes, Principal at Florence Bowser Elementary School, invited the Nansemond River High School DECA Club to his school. “I really appreciate all the hard work and dedication of these young people in putting together the Disaster Preparedness Day. Children are easy targets for hazards/accidents and we need to inform our young people of the safety precautions.” “I also appreciate everyone who came to our school. The surrounding cities of Chesapeake and Portsmouth were also involved in this project.”

The DECA members presented each guest speaker and teacher with a wrapped State Farm Insurance Agency Cup filled with assorted “State Farm” candy. The DECA Advisor is Mrs. S. Michele Duncan.

Submitted by:

Zhana Edmonds
DECA Vice-President

NRHS DECA Students Participate in
National "Make A Difference Day" at the Suffolk YMCA

	NRHS DECA Students
DECA Members worked in the flower beds at the YMCA
	Subway provided lunch for the DECA members
DECA members dance with the YMCA Daycare children

DECA Warriors’ Compete at DECA District 19 Leadership Conference

The Nansemond River DECA Warriors’ competed at the Annual DECA District 19 Leadership Conference. The DECA members competed in a variety of events throughout the Chesapeake Square Mall.

The following DECA members won at the conference:

Apparel and Accessories Associate Level - Zhana Edmonds - 2nd Place Communications Event; 3rd Place Communications and Interpersonal Skills Event; 2nd Place Overall Winner.

Business Service Marketing - Danielle Mitchell - 1st Place Communications and Interpersonal Skills Event.

Full Service Restaurant Management - Danielle Koon - 1st Place Communications and Interpersonal Skills Event.

Marketing Management - Brian Dotson - 1st Place Comprehensive Test.

Retail Merchandising Management Level - Josh Anderson - 1st Place Business, Management, and Entrepreneurship Event; 1st Place Comprehensive Test; 1st Place Pricing Event; and 1st Place Overall Winner.

The following DECA Warriors received a Certificate of Excellence Award - Joshua Anderson, Zhana Edmonds and Brandon Jones.

The following DECA Warriors also participated in the District 19 Leadership Conference:

Ashlyn Allred, Kyree Cooper, Perry King, Jordan Lee, Leilani Littlefield, Norman Milton, Lauren Ordonio, Alex Starks, Antonio Thomas, and Nikita Wright.

Preston Fitzgerald and Brittany Young assisted with the District 19 Leadership Conference Event.

The DECA Advisor is Mrs. S. Michele Duncan.

Submitted by:

Josh Anderson
DECA President

DECA Operates School Store
Students Learn Basics of Business

The purpose of operating the school store, “The Warriors’ Den” is to help students learn how to incorporate all available resources in setting up a small business.

Students enrolled in Marketing Education, order and design school/community clothing, maintain inventory, and operate the store.

The school store operates on a daily basis throughout the school year. It opens right before school starts, giving students the opportunity to purchase candy, balloons, and school supplies before the day starts.

The students involved in the operation of the school store have the opportunity to purchase, price and sell products to the student body, faculty, staff and public.

The students maintain stock, set up displays, operate a computerized inventory system, and cash register using bar codes.

The students also make and deliver a variety of balloon bouquets, design and sell school spirit clothes and spirit items, and maintain business records. This opportunity also gives students the opportunity to learn management skills. They also learn to work under pressure.

As part of the DECA Learn and Earn Project, the members are able to complete the project. The members of the project also participate in operating the school store. This project also puts emphasis on the process of starting a business. The project emphasizes on how to set up and maintain a business. The DECA Advisor is Mrs. S. Michele Duncan.

Submitted by:
Kelsey Rose
NRHS DECA Reporter