Riddled with anxiety and excitement, students part of DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) participated in the District 5 Career Development Conference (CDC) on Saturday, Jan. 20 at Copperas Cove High School. Participants competed in various events relating to business, including marketing, hospitality, and accounting. Out of the 229 Westwood students who participated, 178 advanced to state, making Westwood the school to have the most State qualifiers out of all the other high schools in Texas.

With so many categories of competitions, students had a wide variety of choices; some participated in individual events, while others competed in a team.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect since this was my first DECA competition, but it was a ton of fun and I had a great time preparing and working with my partner on the role play,” Hannah Lu ‘20 said. “I’m glad I chose a team decision event–the role play part really felt like a real interview.”

Additionally, this conference was the first DECA competition for many members.

“I was really nervous because this was my first time giving an official interview especially in DECA, but the ten minutes went by fast,”  Nishesh Shrestha ‘19 said. “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and it was fun. I feel accomplished, like I’ve done something and gone somewhere through DECA. I learned how to take give better interviews, how to stay calm, and how to stay focused.”

Not only is this the first year for multiple Warriors competing in DECA, it is also the first year chapter sponsor Mr. Jeffery Siler is advising Westwood DECA.

“The experience was absolutely incredible because the DECA students here at Westwood are so enthusiastic, motivated, curious, interested, and ambitious in doing well,” Mr. Siler said. “So their enthusiasm and just their inspiration is almost palpable. It’s just really been an incredible experience as far as how that played into Districts. I think the results speak for themselves.”

On top of competing, some students had other things on their mind — such as Emily Gao ‘19 who ran for election for her second year as a DECA District 5 officer.

“Running for district officer was incredibly taxing – both physically and mentally – but it was worth everything that the other candidates and I had to go through,” Gao said. “DECA is one of my greatest passions, and I’m extremely excited about continuing to help push our district and state to new heights. The realization that I won didn’t fully hit me until the bus ride home. Being surrounded with my amazingly supportive friends was one of the best feelings in the world that I’m truly thankful to have been blessed with.”

The state conference will be held in downtown Dallas on Feb. 20, 21, and 22. A full list of all Warriors who advanced to state can be viewed here.