During this year's DECA ICDC in Anaheim, DECA members selected the leaders that will serve during the upcoming school year. As they prepare for the next year, discover more about who they are and where they come from.
Read on to learn about the 2024-2025 High School Executive Officer Team!
If your friends had to describe you in one word, what would it be?
Sarah: Driven
Fatimah: Ambitious
Suraj: Empathetic
Amelia: Prepared
Natalya: Ambitious
Why did you join DECA? Why did you stay?
Sarah: I originally joined DECA by attending a rising freshman night event at my high school with my mom. My chapter advisor had a bright orange megaphone and caught my attention by showing off DECA glass. I was immediately intrigued and joined with my two teammates. I stayed because I found a family with the people in my chapter, excelled in competition and gained leadership skills.
Fatimah: I joined DECA because I've been passionate about business since a young age. As a woman entering a male-dominated industry, I found it empowering to make a positive change on a broad level. While many join for entertainment, it's the ongoing journey within DECA that has genuinely shaped my character and solidified my commitment. Through holding leadership positions, attending transformative conferences and receiving invaluable mentorship, DECA has played a pivotal role in shaping my passion for leadership. With DECA, I can live out my childhood dream of making a positive change and fostering an inclusive and dynamic community. Seeing the rewarding experiences for all members is uplifting, affirming their ability to achieve anything they set their minds to.
Suraj: I originally joined DECA, knowing it as a small “business club” my sister did in high school. The experience members had at conferences stuck out to me. I quickly learned how much more there was to offer and loved all of the opportunities, especially with leadership, that were available.
Amelia: I joined during my freshman year because my friends' older siblings encouraged me to. I then learned all that DECA had to offer me and stayed so that I could make the same impact on other potential members!
Natalya: I joined DECA my sophomore year when a friend needed a partner for our district competition. We later qualified for state and ICDC, and I quickly became fascinated by business. I stayed in DECA because the program gave me a newfound sense of community I had never experienced before. I am eternally grateful for all the opportunities I've had within DECA since then!
What are you most looking forward to in your new role with DECA this upcoming year?
Sarah: Serving people from all around the world! As High School Division President, I have the unique role of working with all associations to help them reach their fullest potential. I’m excited to shine the spotlight on their accomplishments and support them every step of the way.
Fatimah: I'm looking forward to meeting many incredible individuals and working to make them proud in my new role as CRVP! I'm passionate about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to truly experience DECA and contribute to building an inclusive and dynamic unified community. I'm excited to collaborate with everyone and share all the positivity that DECA offers, spreading inspiration and growth throughout our organization.
Suraj: I am most excited to meet more DECA members and officers than ever. The best reward is getting to travel and see the most amazing people.
Amelia: I am SO excited to visit more associations and meet many members.
Natalya: I look forward to serving because this position allows me to uplift members’ voices across the Western Region. I love meeting new people and fostering new friendships, and I hope to continue to do so this upcoming year.
What is your dream career?
Sarah: My dream career is to become a physician. DECA allowed me to combine my interests in business and medicine through competition, and I can’t wait to use these skills in the future.
Fatimah: My dream career is to work in the marketing industry, climb the corporate ladder and become a CEO.
Suraj: My dream career is to be an astronaut.
Amelia: I want to work in digital marketing for professional sports.
Natalya: My dream career is to work in management with Formula One racing! I love the idea of traveling across the world and facing new problems each race weekend.
How do you stay motivated?
Sarah: I stay motivated because I am passionate about my goals. Whether for DECA, school or a hobby, I work with others who share similar passions to keep up my motivation and enthusiasm.
Fatimah: Staying motivated involves focusing on what matters most in life: making impactful contributions to the world. I practice manifestation by visualizing my goals and maintaining a positive mindset to work towards them consistently. I also think about the legacy I want to leave behind, striving to make a lasting impact by inspiring and uplifting others.
Suraj: It can be easy to get caught up in negatives and have moments where nothing goes right. However, I trust that it will all work out if I put in hard work and believe in what I am doing.
Amelia: By creating and using lots and lots of to-do lists! The more you check off, the more motivated you feel.
Natalya: I stay motivated by delegating time to reward myself once I've accomplished a goal! Whether seeing friends, going on a hike or just getting myself a chai at my local coffee shop, I find it helpful to motivate myself with a reward after achieving my goal.
Describe your perfect day.
Sarah: My perfect day would start with brunch with friends and family, followed by reading a good book and attending a Formula 1 Grand Prix (bonus points if we listen to Taylor Swift on the way there).
Fatimah: My perfect day would involve being outdoors, either under the sun or on the water, surrounded by the people I love most, traveling and enjoying delicious food.
Suraj: I would start by waking up at 9 AM and eating chocolate chip pancakes. I’d then spend most of the day at the beach with friends and family. To cool off, I’d drink sweet tea all day. After spending time there, we’d go for dinner, ending the day around a fire with pecan pie and chocolate chip ice cream.
Amelia: I would wake up mid-morning in a new travel destination. I would then spend the rest of the day exploring a new city abroad with friends, trying new food, shopping, etc.
Natalya: I would wake up at 7 a.m., get ready and drive to my favorite coffee shop for a chai and light breakfast. Then, I would drive up to Guanella Pass and go on a light hike with some friends, and we would have brunch afterward! After that, we would go paddle boarding, get sushi for dinner and watch the sunset at Red Rocks. Once the sun has set, we’ll get ice cream at Little Man’s Ice Cream to end the day!
What actor/actress would play you in a movie about your life?
Sarah: Naomi Scott
Fatimah: Selena Gomez
Suraj: Tom Holland
Amelia: Anne Hathaway
Natalya: Natalia Dyer
If you were being introduced on stage, what would be your walkout song?
Sarah: Determinate by Lemonade Mouth
Fatimah: Work by Iggy Azalea
Suraj: Borderline by Tame Impala
Amelia: This is How We Roll by Florida Georgia Line
Natalya: Bad Behavior by Remi Wolf
What's the first thing you'd do after winning the lottery?
Sarah: Here are a few possibilities - I could buy books for my dream library, take a trip to Italy with my family, or attend the Monaco Grand Prix.
Fatimah: The first thing I would do after winning the lottery is to give back to DECA. This organization has given me everything by increasing national funding for Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). I would create grants and expand scholarships to support our members, ensuring the lottery winnings have a lasting impact on our community and future generations. Additionally, I would make that money work for me and invest in stocks, bonds and real estate, securing my future while continuing to support causes close to my heart.
Suraj: I would save and donate a good amount, then buy a plane or trip to space.
Amelia: Hire wealth management help because finance is not my thing.
Natalya: Create a scholarship program to benefit students for years to come!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Sarah: London, United Kingdom or Madrid, Spain
Fatimah: Sydney, Australia
Suraj: Spain, most likely Barcelona
Amelia: Florence, Italy
Natalya: Naples, Italy
