Winter break offers the perfect opportunity to rest, unwind and reset for the second part of the year. However, the holiday season doesn't mean you have to take a break from DECA!
Here’s a list of valuable tips to keep you engaged and overcome any winter break boredom:
1. Apply for DECA's Scholarships
DECA's scholarship deadline is quickly approaching! With $200,000 available, DECA's scholarships are offered to members at every grade level (you don't need to be a graduating senior). Submit your completed application by January 10, 2025.
Tip: Get your Membership ID and Password from your chapter advisor to log in and start your application.
2. Participate in DECA's Challenges
Take advantage of time away from school to work on your challenge submissions. Most challenges come with the opportunity to earn cash prizes, recognition on stage during ICDC and other cool rewards. Here are five challenges happening now:
- Adobe Food Truck Challenge: Using Adobe Express tools, develop a comprehensive food truck concept that includes branding, truck design, menu creation and social media marketing. Submissions are due January 17, 2025.
- Knowledge Matters Digital Presentation Skills Challenge: Test your skills in creating and delivering a digital presentation. Submissions open on January 2, 2025, and are due January 31, 2025.
- NAA Auction Marketing Challenge: Develop a marketing campaign for a full estate sale that will utilize the live auction method and include both real estate and personal property. Submissions are due February 1, 2025.
- MDA Disability is Diversity Challenge: Create a focused Disability Is Diversity presentation that highlights the obstacles and experiences of navigating an educational environment with differing abilities. Submissions are due by February 14, 2025.
- NPCF Social Impact Leader of Tomorrow Challenge: Demonstrate your creativity by producing the next big cause marketing idea for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Submissions are due by February 19, 2025.
- Invest Innovation in Action Challenge: Develop a new and innovative marketing campaign to creatively rebrand the insurance industry to Gen Z. Submissions are due by February 28, 2025.
3. Submit for SBE Certification
Is your chapter going for gold certification this year? School-based Enterprise (SBE) certification documentation is due by January 14, 2025. Check out these tips to help prepare your submission.
4. Sharpen Your Competition Skills
Whether you're preparing for a district or association-level conference, be sure to check out helpful articles on DECA Direct Online to finalize your prepared event, master your role-play or ace the exam. You can also take advantage of DECA's interactive competitive events page and online library of practice role-plays and exams.
5. Prepare for #CTEMonth
Career and Technical Education Month® begins in February, and your chapter will have the opportunity to earn DECA's Advocacy Campaign. Complete three school outreach activities, three public policymaker outreach activities and three community outreach activities to gain recognition. Check out these ideas and tips to get started.
6. Plan Your Recruitment Campaign
Even if your chapter's membership roster is finalized for the current year, now is the perfect time to start planning next year's recruitment efforts! Take advantage of the spring to start reaching out to underclassmen and middle school students who will be eligible for membership in the future.
7. Share Your Favorite 2024 DECA Story
Reflect on the past year of DECA events, memories and experiences. Whether your chapter began a new tradition or you traveled to your first DECA conference, we want to hear about how it impacted your 2024. Write a quick article and submit it here for a chance to be featured on our Spotlights category and @decainc social media accounts!
