The battle of business clubs: DECA, FBLA, FFA

DECA (previously known as Distributive Education Clubs of America):

Though I feel I do not need to explain why DECA, an association of marketing students, is the best Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), because it is fairly obvious, I’ve decided to take some time out of my day to educate those of you who, somehow, may not know.

DECA competes at Area, State, and International Career Development Conferences. We do mock interviews and presentations based off of real life business situations. Wenatchee DECA is the 18th best DECA organization out of 3,500 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Guam, Germany, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain. If you ask me, that’s fairly impressive.

In the words of our fearless leader Matt Pakinas, “Let the results speak for themselves.” The following is a list of our accomplishments: International winners, numerous top 10 and 20 placers at nationals, a countless record of state champions, a multitude of successful Area presidents, and an incalculable number of Baked Hot Cheetos sold at Elwoods Oasis. BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! We are not only successful in competition and conferences, but are also great societal benefactors. Area 10 DECA alone, which is comprised of 13 schools, has raised hundreds of dollars for our state sponsor, the Ronald McDonald House Charities. We also hold an annual highway cleanup, a Safeway Takeover, and require all members to have AT LEAST five hours of community service per semester.

Let’s be real, DECA is like the varsity sport of academics. While I’m sure Future Farmers of America and Future Business Leaders of America have their benefits, DECA is an all around amazing club. Some may say that DECA is too hard, or that all DECA kids ever do is DECA. That is certainly a tad bit maybe partially a little true. DECA kids have time for a social life, we just choose not to partake in one. I’m, of course, referring to mostly the kids on the officer team. DISCLOSURE: Not all DECA members are entirely consumed with DECA. What you put into DECA is what you get out of it, so the more time you spend absorbing the affluent atmosphere in Room 551, the DECA room, the better chance you have of soaking up the sun in Anaheim, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Nashville, or Orlando for Internationals.

Now with all the snarky comments off my chest, DECA truly is a very influential organization. We do our best to make our members successful, and a large part of our organization is like family to me. I, along with many students, spend hours before and after school working on projects, talking about how we can better our organization, and just hanging out with each other. As lame as it may sounds to some, hanging out in the DECA room is a daily activity for some. I would guess it is because of Mr. P and his undeniable ability to inspire (fear).

So, if you are considering joining a CTSO that will impact your future for your entire life, feel free to join our brethren. Because DECA…is…life.

— Kori Martin, DECA Area 10 President

Future Business Leaders of America:

Freedom, choice, and active learning all at the same time. These traits are the perfect description of Future Business Leaders of America, which is by far the best business-oriented club at Wenatchee High School.

The first and foremost reason that makes FBLA a superior choice is that it does not require its members to take a whole class period out of their schedule. With the new 24 graduation credit requirement, this is a huge advantage. Our good friends from FFA and DECA have classes, that is how they are able to maintain a high number of membership, also known as slaves; also, just kidding about the friends part.

My colleague, Kori Martin, will argue that Distributive Education Clubs of America surpasses FBLA in all aspects and the best thing I can do is laugh at her stubbornness and lack of comprehension. Martin was cleansed of her innocence the day she added Intro to Business onto her schedule. I cannot blame her. The best that I can do is explain how FBLA gives you wiggle room, but I know very well that Martin will hear it through one ear and it will be coming out the other.

Moving along, this club does not tie you down in any sense and it has limitless opportunity. We engage in community service and competition. FBLA dedicates itself to its members, so that they receive the best experience possible. We work around our busy members’ schedules.

Our competitive events range from business presentations to website development. Do you like video production? We have an event for you as well in Public Service Announcement or Digital Video Production. This club offers something for everyone.

Our community service events build lasting relationships around the community. One popular event is Donkey Basketball. With the help of our farmer counterparts we put this fundraiser together in benefit of the March of Dimes Foundation. My personal favorite is the annual Pumpkin Carving at the Bruce Transitional Housing. I have helped with this event for three years now and every time it has been a heart warming experience. Our members enjoy helping those in need.

That farmer girl, Bethany Symonds, may know how to raise a goat, but probably lacks accounting skills. Symonds should consider joining FBLA to gain some useful skills (sorry Mrs. Symonds, this is just a friendly attack on your daughter). I hope Mrs. Symonds enjoyed that parenthetical observation. Going back to the farming business, I mean you really have to consider your chances in that market. Only two percent of Americans are farmers. Future Farmers of America members will most likely work for a farmer than be a successful farmer. Do not worry, you can still join FBLA.

I invite all WHS students (yes, even DECA and FFA students) to dive into the world of FBLA. In this club you will make lasting relationships while learning life skills not only in competition, but also through service.

— Eduardo Ramos, Wenatchee High School FBLA President

Future Farmers of America:

The Future Farmers of America creed, by E.M. Tiffany: “I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words, but of deeds. Achievements won through the past and present generations of agriculturists, in the promise of better days, through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us through the struggles of former years.”

Four score and seven years ago, the FFA’s founders brought upon this nation a brand new organization to be introduced to schools. This organization was introduced in the hope that students in schools could learn the importance of agriculture, and how to apply it to their lives and investments. Today, FFA has more than 600,000 members nationwide, making it one of the most popular high school organizations in America.

Ok, enough with the technical stuff, let’s talk about how amazing FFA is. Cows, plows and pigs is all FFA is, right? Wrong. Future Farmers of America? That’s soooo 27 years ago. The National FFA Organization, as we are now known, promotes leadership, service, and of course, everything that the motto says: Learning to do, Doing to learn, Earning to live, Living to serve. That’s a pretty sweet motto for a bunch of high schoolers.

So the question now, is why is FFA such a great club to join? Let’s list the reasons:

1. FFA is well established, as it has been around for 87 years, compared to the baby organizations of FBLA (75 years) and DECA (72 years).
2. FFA is a well rounded mix of competition, animals, and life skills that are applicable to everyone. And let’s just point this out again: animals. Cute, woolly lambs? Check. Sweet little goats? Check. Baby ducks, chickens, and piglets? Check, check, check.
3. FFA is a leadership organization where you get to wear some fancy jackets to compete in. Yes, in the beginning, the jackets might be uncomfortable and maybe a little embarrassing, but at the end of your four years with FFA, that jacket becomes like the security blanket you used to drag behind you when you were three years old. That jacket is like your lifeline.

So should you join FFA, and be a part of the greatest organization the Wenatchee Valley has to offer? Well, yeah.

— Bethany Symonds, Wenatchee High School FFA President