Inside DECA: Adviser Matt Pakinas
DECA Adviser Matt Pakinas teaches a marketing class at Wenatchee High School on Wednesday.
Business. Entrepreneurship. DECA. For many students in the school, those words could represent their newly discovered passion. They are reminded of the spirit of competition, the memories they have made throughout the years, and the hard and dedicated work they have put in to be successful. For other students, DECA reminds them of the famous Ellwood’s Oasis where they are able to get their Cheetos everyday. Either way, every student has been some way affected by this program, whether it be at lunch or hearing about that success they have had over the announcements. All of this is due to one man: Matthew Pakinas.
With his words of wisdom on the wall behind him, DECA Adviser Matt Pakinas teaches a marketing class in room 551.
“What keeps me going for DECA is being able to work with incredible students that strive to be successful in all areas of their life,” Pakinas said. “Being able to teach and coach an internationally competitive group of young adults is a blessing every day.”
For the past 11 years, Pakinas has been in charge of the DECA classes. He got involved with the program in college while attending Central Washington University. He participated at the collegiate level and competed at Internationals three times. This year, he will be leading 51 DECA students to the State competition at the Bellevue Meydenbauer Center on March 5-7.
“My hopes for State and Internationals is for the Wenatchee DECA, as a chapter, to place in the Top 10 at the International competition,” Pakinas said.
His goals for his students do not stop this year. In three years from now, he would like to see his Wenatchee DECA chapter place first at Internationals and compete alongside the greats.
The competitions that DECA participates in are all opportunities to watch his students strive. He thinks the best part of the competition is “for students to achieve more than they thought they ever could.”
“He’s really good as connecting with students,” junior Alex Haugan said. “He understands what it’s like to be a teenager.”
“My favorite way to influence students within the DECA program is by helping them realize their potential that each and everyone has,” Pakinas said.
All the students that walk in and out of room 551 have Pakinas to assure their success in the program. No matter who they are or what class they are in, everyone has heard Pakinas’ words of wisdom: “It is not how you start, it is how you finish.”
