(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – July 24, 2024) — Mikayla Ortiz, a recent graduate of Franklin High School, has made a significant mark in the DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) competitions this year. She earned a prestigious silver medal at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) held in Anaheim, California.
Reflecting on her achievement, Mikayla expressed her excitement and disbelief after she earned the silver medal. “It was surreal when they called my name. I was looking around, feeling like it wasn't real,” Mikayla shared. “Then I looked at my teacher, and we both started crying. She told me to go up on stage, and I was in shock. I started praying and thanking God, just being grateful for the moment.”
During the competition, Mikayla took on the role of a restaurant manager in a challenging role-play scenario. “You basically have 10 minutes to prepare for the scenario,” she explained. “For example, if we had a bacterial infection in our fountain machine, we would have to come up with a solution to fix the problem, and then present it to a judge in a business meeting format.”
Preparation for the competition demanded hard work and dedication. Mikayla and her peers participated in workshops led by their teacher, Ms. Knapp, and other DECA board members with ICDC experience. These workshops involved practicing role-plays and honing verbal communication skills. “You need to practice knowing what words to say and what not to say. Simple things like saying 'revenue' instead of 'money' can make a difference,” Mikayla noted. “You have to be prepared for a wide range of topics because you don’t know what scenario you are going to get.”
Mikayla’s commitment to DECA was evident as she attended multiple workshops each week, often practicing early in the morning, during lunch, and after school. Besides role-plays, she extensively studied for a challenging test that is part of the competition and includes around 100 questions.
Through her DECA experience, Mikayla said she has gained invaluable skills. "I learned how to network and how to be more confident in what I'm saying. I realized that when I'm passionate about a topic, I perform better," she said. This passion and dedication led to her success, earning her the Best Role Play award at ICDC. "It wasn't just my achievement. It was Ms. Knapp's support, my friends from last year, and the entire DECA team who always encouraged me," she emphasized.
Looking to the future, Mikayla plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington to study medicine, potentially with a minor in business. Her DECA experience has undoubtedly equipped her with skills that will benefit her in her future endeavors.
For more information about the DECA program at Franklin High School, click here.