DLS DECA Recognized for Outstanding GrowthThe De La Salle Collegiate DECA team is not only a winner in competition.
The team was recently recognized for its membership growth from 31 to 57 students in the current school year.
In citing DLS, the Achievement Award said, “The chapter’s advisor and student leaders have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to DECA.”
DLS was one of 1,214 chapters (of 4,127) to earn recognition as part of DECA’s membership campaign. The campaign helps chapters grow by making the experience available to more students, keeping alumni involved, and engaging professional members such as administrators, teachers, parents, and business partners.
DLS DECA Moderator Mr. Dennis Koch, DLS ‘94, established DECA several years ago and cites several factors in the team’s increased membership.
“Our students know they will have fun and will learn a lot about business,” Koch said. “They know they have a chance to be very successful, they like being with each other, and that results in great chemistry.”
For several years, the DECA team met after school, and only in the last few years, with the introduction of the lunchtime “Power Hour,” were students able to participate more regularly.
The after-school practices, utilizing experienced alumni and professionals from the Christian Financial Credit Union (CFCU) Education Team, are a main component of the team’s success as well.
Koch said that several schools have an actual DECA class.
While he teaches various business courses at DLS, including Accounting, Entrepreneurship, and Introduction to Business, Koch said he is experienced enough with DECA to incorporate pertinent business topics - economics, human resources, and marketing - into his curriculum.
“I want to create well-rounded business students, not just for DECA, but for life,” Koch said.
For various reasons, the 57 number dropped as students dropped out or were sick at the time of competition.
“We rolled into districts with 42 students, and 26 of those 42 placed. Of the 16 who did not place, several were named alternates,” Koch said. “I am very proud of all our DECA students.”
Next up for the team is an online test on February 19, 2025. Those results are part of the scoring at the state competition scheduled for March 13 - 15, 2025, in downtown Detroit.