The North Texas Commission is partnering with the Texas association of DECA, an organization preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management with more than 200,000 members in high schools and colleges across the globe, to bring students from Career and Technical
Education programs across North Texas to our Annual Members’ Luncheon. This year’s luncheon, themed “Beyond the Pitch: Focus. Prepare. Change the Game.,” will feature Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban as the keynote speaker.
DECA has over 12,600 members across the state in more than 300 schools. DECA members in Texas DECA Districts 7 & 11 (encompassing North Texas) were asked to submit essays answering the prompt “How does innovation impact your community?” Of the submissions received, 13 students were selected to attend this years’ Luncheon.
Alyssa Rico, Senior, North Garland High School, Garland
Alyssa Rico is a second year DECA member and chapter Vice President of Social Media, advised by Texas DECA District XI director Kimberly Adams. She currently serves as a senior class officer, assisting in the prom planning, and is a member of the North Garland student council and debate team. She works at Lifetime Fitness, and previously received the GANAS award, given to outstanding Hispanic students. Alyssa plans on pursuing a degree in business administration or marketing, and hopes to create her own fashion label.
To read Alyssa’s essay, click here.
Anthony Duarte, Senior, R.L. Turner High School, Carrollton
Anthony Duarte is a second year DECA member and chapter Vice President, advised by Rene Hillgartner. He has previously competed with DECA at the district level. Anthony is also a member of R.L. Turner’s Academic Decathalon team, and plans to start his own business after graduating college.
To read Anthony’s essay, click here.
Braelyn Mintzlaff, Junior, Birdville High School, North Richland Hills
Braelyn Mintzlaff is a first year DECA member, advised by Emily Shipman and Andrea Anderson. She is a spokesperson for nonprofit Snowball Express, a volunteer at the North Richland Hills public library and a member of Best Buddies at Birdville High School. Braelyn currently works at Pacific Sunwear. She intends to earn a degree in the communications field, and plans on going into broadcast journalism after graduation.
To read Braelyn’s essay, click here.
Damariz Salas, Senior, Sunset High School, Dallas
Damariz Salas is a first year DECA member, advised by Marcus Nickerson. She currently works at Tom Thumb, and hopes to attend Texas Tech University to become a teacher.
To read Damariz’s essay, click here.
Destiny Ramsey, Junior, MacArthur High School, Irving
Destiny Ramsey is a first year DECA member and her chapter’s Social Media Director, advised by Dee Dee Jones and Kelley Watson. She is a member of AVID college prep at MacArthur, and was recognized as Magnum Cum Laude by her school in 2014 and 2015. Destiny hopes to earn multiple degrees, including bachelors in business and Ph.D. in education, before becoming an elementary school teacher. She also aims to own her own business.
To read Madison’s essay, click here.
Jenna Wilson, Junior, Allen High School , Allen
Jenna Wilson is a second year DECA member and Chapter President, advised by Sue Rowley. She competed at districts, state and DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Orlando this spring in Professional Selling. Jenna is the clarinet section leader in the Allen High School marching band, where she has been named a 3-time all-region band member and has participated in UIL at the solo and ensemble levels. Jenna currently works at Chick-fil-a, and intends to pursue a career in international business or business administration.
To read Jenna’s essay, click here.
Johanna Skarbek, Junior, New Tech High @ Coppell, Coppell
Johanna Skarbeck is a second year DECA member and her chapter’s Treasurer/Vice President of Fundraising, advised by Carolyn Province. She has competed at the district and state level, and in addition to DECA, is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and tutors students in her community through her job at Gideon Math and Reading Center. Johanna is a recipient of the Global Issues Genius Award, and was named her cross country team’s MVP. She intends to pursue a degree in engineering.
To read Johanna’s essay, click here.
Lauren Mann, Senior, Ben Barber Career Tech Academy, Mansfield
Lauren Mann is a fourth year DECA member and serves as her chapter’s President, advised by Cathy Slagle, as well as Texas DECA District VII Secretary, advised by District VII director Lisa Greco. She has competed at the district, state and international levels in DECA multiple times, and is an active member of National Honor Society. Lauren is ranked No. 10 in her class, and is a member of her school’s varsity choir and UIL team. She recently interned with the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce, and now works at Uptown Cheapskate. Lauren would like to attend college in North Texas, and earn a degree in marketing.
To read Lauren’s essay, click here.
Madison Bonds, Junior, John Dubiski Career High School, Grand Prairie
Madison Bonds is a third year DECA member and her chapter’s Treasurer, advised by Randy Walker. She has competed at the district and state level, and attended the Emerging Leader’s Academy at the DECA International Career Development Conference. In addition to DECA, Madison is involved with SkillsUSA, where she is also a chapter officer, club volleyball. Madison plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering.
To read Madison’s essay, click here.
Nadia Miralrio, Senior, Woodrow Wilson High School Academy of Finance, Dallas
Nadia Miralrio is a third year DECA member and her chapter’s Director of Public Relations, advised by Denise Tucker. She has competed at the district and state level in DECA, and participated in Junior Achievements, a program that allows her to work with elementary students on financial literacy. She was recently certified as part of a program with the IRS to complete taxes, which she does at Woodrow Wilson for free. Nadia intends to earn a sociology degree.
To read Nadia’s essay, click here.
Nick Kasody, Senior, Ben Barber Career Tech Academy, Mansfield
Nick Kasody is a first year DECA member, advised by Cathy Slagle. He is a member of his school’s varsity baseball team, and volunteers with Meals on Wheels and the Mansfield Food Bank. Nick intends to pursue a degree in business administration.
To read Nick’s essay, click here.
Sheradyn Romo, Junior, Marcus High School, Flower Mound
Sheradyn Romo is a second year DECA member and serves as her chapter’s Historian, advised by Kendra Day. She has competed at the district and state level with DECA, and is also a member of National Honor Society and her school’s student council and debate team. Sheradyn plans to earn a degree in psychology or business.
To read Sheradyn’s essay, click here.
Tyler Barry, Junior, Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning, North Richland Hills
Tyler Barry is a second year DECA member, and serves as his chapter’s President as well as the President of Texas DECA District VII, advised for both by District VII director Lisa Greco. He has competed at the district, state and international level with DECA, and in addition, is a member of the DECA Direct Social Media Correspondent team. He also assists in running his chapter’s school based enterprise. Tyler is also a member of the North Richland Hills Youth Advisory Committee, and recently earned his Sabre Travel Network certification. He currently interns with the Birdville Center of Technology, and is earning his pilot’s license. Tyler intends to pursue a degree in professional flight and business aviation management.
To read Tyler’s essay, click here.
The North Texas Commission is excited to offer these students the opportunity to network with our members and guests at our Annual Members’ Luncheon, which will be held Thursday, September 24th at the Irving Convention Center. To learn more about DECA, click here.
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