Shelby Talbott's Journal

May:

What an amazing journey this has been so far, and only just started! I am so glad I had the opportunity to encounter so many new people at ICDC, and I only hope that we meet again down the road. My mind is full of ideas and plans for the future of DECA, and I cannot wait to get started with Team 63. We are all so excited about the next year, and I know that I could not have been elected to a better officer board. As the next year progresses, I encourage each and every one of you to set goals for your local, state, province, or territory chapters that are sure to make a difference in the lives of DECA members everywhere. Thank you so much for giving me the chance to represent the Southern Region, and I plan to be in touch with all of you soon!

June:

With no conferences during the past month, the anxiety of getting started with the bulk of my term has grown and grown! Ideas for the new year swarm my head and the anticipation is almost too hard to bear. I am so excited for officer training in July, not only to see the officers of Team 63, but to begin our Program of Work. I beg each and every one of you to take this time to evaluate where you would like your individual chapters, and DECA as a whole, to be by the end of the year.

July:

Officer training is coming so quickly but I can’t stand to wait! Working on my speeches and workshop reminds me of just how much I truly love this organization. I miss Team 63 so much and can’t wait to be in action with them once again. Despite the fact that we spent such a short time together at ICDC, I feel as if we have bonded so much just from all of the emailing and short talk we have done since then. Everyday I realize how truly blessed I am to have gotten involved with this wonderful organization, and I only hope that I can give as much back to DECA as it has given to me!

August:

During the past month, my mind has been completely consumed with DECA, and I can definitely say that I have never been so happy to be involved with such a wonderful organization! National Officer Training in Washington, D.C. was a blast and Team 63 got a great start on the year ahead and had an opportunity to bond with each other and DECA staff.

Throughout the week, we heard from so many amazing individuals who have dedicated much of their lives to DECA and its members. It was truly inspiring to know that there are people that care about the future of today’s students. I have never been around so many people who love our organization as much as DECA staff does, and it was a heartwarming experience. We also had the chance to meet with senators and congressmen on Capitol Hill and the Department of Education to talk to them about DECA and the passion we have for the organization.

While in D.C., we were fortunate enough to be able to attend the Summer Officer Leadership Training. Being around so many state/provincial and local officers, I realized that we have great leaders representing our members, and DECA’s future is very bright. It was wonderful being able to meet and interact with everyone and to hear everyone’s goals for the year.

Above all, it was so great to have Team 63 back together and in action. The work that we accomplished never felt like a task, but instead, a privilege – whether we were in the heat of midsummer or the wee hours of the morning. DECA members, you have awesome National Officers representing you this year. Your President, Uzo, is our caring ambassador. She is one of the most eloquent speakers I have ever met and has a dedication to all DECA members. Isaac, Central Region Vice President, is our well thought–out politician. He makes sure that every side of every situation is considered before decisions are made. Your North Atlantic Region Vice President, Mike, is our devoted, hard worker. He performs the most thorough job that you could possibly imagine and has a creative spirit. Every member brings so many different qualities to every aspect of the team, yet our differences make us that much stronger.

I am so excited for the coming year! I can hardly contain my love and excitement for this organization. I hope that as the school year starts, your dedication to your DECA chapter grows stronger. Never let your goals out of sight and don’t take one moment of the next year for granted!