(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Jan. 18, 2024) — Numerous El Paso ISD students are headed to Houston next month to compete at the next level of the Distributive Education Clubs of America competition, otherwise known as DECA. The organization prepares high school and college students in marketing, finance, hospitality, management, and more.
The district DECA event took place Jan. 11 at the Starlight Event Center. Several students from El Paso ISD faced off against competitors from other local school districts. The El Paso ISD schools that competed at the event included Franklin High School, Coronado High School and Center for Career and Technology (CCTE).
For some Franklin students, this isn’t the first time making it to the state level.
“It’s my second year taking part in the competition,” said Franklin High School senior Yazan Azzam. “My friends told me about this organization, so I tagged along. After joining, I loved it instantly. You meet new people, and you also get to show off your skills and abilities to everyone, which is great.”
Azzam is just one of the many El Paso ISD students who were awarded the chance to compete at the state level next month. Each year — students take part in competitive events meant to help students gain leadership skills, improve their communication, empower them in the classroom, and network with leaders from across the world. During the event, the students are rated on how they handle a specific business-related topic through roleplay or writing.
There are three levels to the competition. Students first compete at the local district level. If they win, they move on to the state level. If the students win at state, then they’ll reach the international level, which will be held in Los Angeles this year.
Ali Lopez, another Franklin High School student, will also head to Houston next month.
“It’s such a privilege and such an honor. I’m excited to go to state again,” Lopez said. “My favorite part about being in DECA is competing alongside my best friends, and it makes all those long nights worth it when you succeed.”
Franklin has a huge chapter with more than 70 members having competed at the district level. Coronado also has a large membership with a little more than 40 members. They, too, will have students competing at the state level along with CCTE.
“I’m happy to make it again. I’m happy that a lot of my Franklin people also made it, and happy that people in other school districts also made it,” Azzam said.
