DECA
Ponca City DECA members recently held their first chapter meeting. At the meeting, members got to know each other by participating in icebreaker activities and sharing facts about themselves. Members were encouraged to get to know each other by improving their communication skills. 

In addition, 2024-2025 Chapter Officers were announced. They are Hannah Haney, Co-President; Addy George, Co-President; Lanie Hendricks, Vice-President of Media; Aubire Patton, Vice President of Social Activities; Titus Haney, Vice-President of Recruitment; Kyler Cox, Vice President of Finance; Benton Holloway, Vice President of Competitive Events; Logan Mirkes, Vice-President of Record Keeping. The advisor for Ponca City DECA is  Heather Monks. At the meeting, plans were made for yearly activities, fundraising, and competitive events were assigned.  

DECA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit student organization with more than 200,000 members in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain. The United States Congress, the United States Department of Education, and state, district, and the International Department of Education authorize DECA’s programs.  
         
According to the DECA website, the group has a 75 year history and has impacted the lives of more than 10 million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals since it was founded in 1946.
           
The program is meant to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management and high schools and colleges all over the world. Deca‘s programs and activities are said to provide authentic, experiential learning methods to prepare members for college and careers. The group members put their knowledge into action through rigorous project-based activities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes. As well, partnerships with businesses at local and broader levels provide members with realistic insight into the industry and promote meaningful, relevant learning.
         
To learn more about being a part of DECA at Ponca City High school, contact the facility advisor for the group Heather Monks.
 
 
Pictured from left to right:
Logan Mirkes, Aubrie Patton, Benton Holloway, Hannah Haney, Titus Haney, Addy George, Kyler Cox and Lanie Hendricks