By Vivian Zhou, @viviannzhou | Liberty High School, WA
As a three-year DECA competitor, I have seen both sides of competition, from thrilling wins to humbling losses. Competing in the Principles of Hospitality and Tourism event became one of the best opportunities I could have had. It was also an eye-opening moment; I realized that if I wanted results, I had to prepare differently and refuse to repeat the same mistakes.
When I placed second in the nation for PHT at ICDC, the moment felt even more meaningful because I knew exactly where I had started. That journey is why I encourage every first-year member to consider Principles. The event offers more than just another opportunity to compete; it provides a pathway to growth, discovery, and the development of confidence in your skills.
Whether your goal is to qualify for state, earn your first award, or step onto the ICDC stage, the Principles of Business Administration events give you a pathway to start strong and grow with purpose. These events provide an opportunity to practice, explore, and refine your skills without pressure. Most importantly, it teaches you that progress comes from trying, learning, and showing up a little stronger each time.
Principle of Business Administration Events help you discover your cluster.
Not every new member enters DECA knowing exactly where they belong. When I first joined, I remember staring at the event list, feeling overwhelmed. Principles offers five events that provide you with the freedom to explore Marketing, Hospitality and Tourism, Finance, Business Administration, or Entrepreneurship, while still learning broad business skills that apply across all fields.
You compete alongside other first-time members.
This is one of the most unique parts of Principles. You are not presenting against upperclassmen with years of experience under their belts. Instead, you are surrounded by competitors who are learning the same skills for the first time, and this truly helps first-year members feel confident enough to take risks, try new ideas and grow.
You work with four indicators, which helps you build depth and confidence.
Principles role plays use four indicators instead of five, which gives you extra time to think, explain and be creative. During my year in PHT, I used those minutes to draw small diagrams and visuals that helped me stand out. Learning habits like these early makes transitioning into advanced events much smoother.
The event lays the foundation for your future success.
Principles teaches the essentials: staying calm in front of a judge, communicating clearly, thinking under pressure and presenting confidently. I did not realize it at the time, but those early skills became the backbone of every event I competed in afterward. A strong start in Principles can transform your entire DECA journey.
Your first event can shape your entire DECA journey!
Principle of Business Administration events are more than just beginner categories: they help you build confidence, discover your strengths, and find your place in DECA.
If you are a new member who finds yourself in the same place as I did, give the Principle of Business Administration events a real chance. Ask your advisors or officers which cluster best fits you, try a few practice role-plays, and stay open to discovering what you enjoy; you never know! The same redirection that helped me find my place in DECA might also be the moment that inspires your own breakthrough. Your DECA journey is just beginning.
