Contributed by Tamir Shaw | Kingwood High School DECA, TX
When I started high school, my primary focus was playing soccer and participating in athletics. I played at the highest club team level, participated in tournaments, took road trips nationwide and worked towards a Division 1 career. That was it. School was school; life was soccer.
Then came a surprise that I did not see. My mom constantly said, "There is more to life than sports. You need to try other things." At first, I waved it off. However, I did listen, and this is where I found myself at the HOSA State Conference during my first year of high school. Surprisingly enough, I found that I enjoyed myself and the actual competition itself, the adrenaline of presenting something I had put a lot of work into. But it wasn't quite what I wanted and I wished for more variety.
The concern? Our school did not offer that outlet. I was with my brother and his friends and they suggested I look into DECA. I approached our administrators and teacher sponsor, now our DECA advisor, Mrs. Laura Abel, and said, "What if we did DECA?" She jumped at it, our school jumped at it and voila, Kingwood High School DECA was born, thanks to a lot of work the summer before.
Fast forward: it's now our third year. Last year alone, we had over 300 members and were awarded Texas's Best New Chapter. It was a fantastic feeling to walk on stage at the Texas state conference and receive the award for our outstanding team and chapter.
What used to be a lost piece has now become a solid program spreading out within our district and prompting other schools to start chapters of their own.
Beyond me, however, the numbers and titles aren't the best achievement. It is what DECA has brought to Kingwood: a haven where students from all walks of school life are welcome. Through service projects, business panel conferences and lunches, fundraising with community supporters or our legendary Prom Fashion Show, which brings together seniors, faculty members and families, DECA has formed a community within our school.
Personally, DECA did for me what my sport never was able to do: it helped me discover my voice. I was the quiet athlete whose play on the field was louder than their words. Frustrations with injuries within my sport and playing catch-up with my education made me understand that identity can never come from only one thing. DECA was my haven, platform and time to rise and take leadership in something other than being on a field every day. Nowadays, I compete, present and lead confidently in once intimidating places.
As I head into my senior year, I see the impact our chapter is making: an impact of service, financial literacy in our feeder elementary schools, leadership and inclusivity. Kingwood DECA is more than a club; it is a community.
If you are looking for a community where you can grow and where you might discover what you can do, then DECA can very easily be that for you too. Find out about your local chapter and join your local chapter today.
