Courtesy of Leilani Feltman

Since the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, DECA has been hard at work, consistently preparing for their competitions. After an array of practice tests and role-plays, the club led by senior and Chapter President Massimo Todesco expects to excel at each competition.

“We’ve trained for the national conference by testing each other, preparing our presentations, creating mock- role plays, and taking practice tests,” Todesco said.

Filled with anticipation for upcoming events and competitions, Todesco enjoys being a leader and inspiring his teammates to put in the work after building his way up in the club.

“Being the president is very rewarding, especially when helping others who you can see grow in their knowledge of business and qualify for further competitions,” Todesco said.

Approaching their next competition in mid-April, in Anaheim, California, the qualifiers are preparing for the national round. Advancing to the International Career Development Conference, ICDC, round, Todesco and his peers are enthusiastic about the new hands-on opportunities in a different setting.

“I will go to this business academy in Anaheim, in which I’m taught by professionals in their respective business fields, leadership skills and other business techniques to improve my knowledge of the business world,” Todesco said.

Planning to major in finance or economics, DECA has influenced Todesco, teaching him organization, integrity and communication skills. DECA has provided Todesco with the opportunity to discover a passion and be considered a competitive student, becoming admitted to the Ross School of Business and The Mendoza College of Business. 

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career or even major in for college, but after DECA I developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for business,” Todesco said. “I believe displaying my proficiency in my finance competition last year has helped to get accepted into Notre Dame’s and Michigan’s business schools.” 

As Todesco’s journey as chapter president comes to a close, he emphasizes how DECA will always be a part of him outside of the business experiences and benefits, but moreover, the lasting bonds. 

“What makes DECA so special is the bonds you can create through the conferences and networking,” Todesco said. “I remember last year I met this kid in the lobby, started talking to him and he ended up in the same competition as me. Ultimately, I became good friends with him and we both qualified for internationals and hung out at Disney in Orlando.”