By Marco Castro, @marcoindeca | Southside High School, AR
It’s 6 a.m. The coffee is brewing, your blazer is pressed and the day is already buzzing with possibility. Somewhere between Rory Gilmore’s late-night study sessions at Luke’s Diner and your early morning DECA prep, there is a shared truth: ambition runs on caffeine and confidence.
For many students, fall is about changing leaves, cooler weather and pumpkin spice. For DECA members, it is also the season of preparation, presentations, projects and growth. And maybe, just like Rory in Gilmore Girls, we are all learning how to balance big dreams with busy schedules, even if it is just one cup of coffee at a time.
Caffeine = Commitment
If you have ever watched Rory study with a mug in her hand, you know coffee is more than a drink. It is a ritual. For DECA members, that same ritual represents commitment. Early meetings, brainstorming sessions and late-night case study reviews are fueled by determination and, sometimes, caffeine.
Every DECA member knows success is not created overnight. It is built step by step, goal by goal and challenge by challenge. The drive to improve, refine a presentation, strengthen a business plan or walk into a judge’s room with confidence is what defines the DECA mindset. Like Rory, DECA students do not just chase opportunities; they seize them. They create them.
Confidence Over Perfection
Rory Gilmore’s story was never about being perfect. It was about believing in herself when things became difficult. The same lesson applies in DECA. Confidence does not mean having every answer. It means trusting your preparation, your ideas and your ability to adapt.
Whether you are presenting a role-play or competing at a conference, DECA teaches that true professionalism comes from self-assurance, not flawlessness. There will always be unexpected questions or moments of uncertainty that can make you question your confidence. DECA students learn to handle each one with calm, clarity and poise, just like Rory in a crowded newsroom.
Career Readiness with a Gilmore Twist
At its heart, Gilmore Girls is about growth, finding your purpose and learning from each experience. That is what DECA encourages, too. Through events in marketing, finance, hospitality and entrepreneurship, DECA members gain real-world skills that prepare them for life after high school.
Rory’s curiosity mirrors the critical thinking DECA builds. Lorelai’s creativity reflects the entrepreneurial spirit that the organization celebrates. Even Paris’s persistence reminds us that ambition, when guided with purpose, can open countless doors. DECA prepares students for more than a career. It prepares them for life. It teaches leadership, networking and problem-solving. The lessons go beyond business and help shape character.
Coffee First, Confidence Always
From the first sip of coffee to the final competition round, DECA members carry the same spirit that makes Gilmore Girls unforgettable: curious minds, ambitious goals and endless motivation. Whether you are perfecting a presentation, leading your chapter or figuring out your path, remember that success is not about perfection. It is about passion.
So grab your cup, straighten your blazer and take a deep breath… channel your inner Rory Gilmore and your best DECA self. Then, chase those goals one confident step at a time, and maybe you, too, will find your secret boost, even if it is just caffeine.
