Q: As president of DECA you discussed the importance of mentoring and working with 9th and 10th graders who are new to the program. Why do you feel your internship in the marketing classes is important to the success of DECA as a whole and the individual students participating?
A: My internship in the freshman and sophomore DECA classes plays a crucial role in the success of the program. Having experienced DECA members available to guide underclassmen helps the new members progress with their individual projects, but more importantly builds connections between the students. KP DECA has a special family atmosphere, with strong bonds between members in all classes. It is essential to welcome new members into this community, helping them feel comfortable and included in the program. I enjoy engaging with the 9th and 10th graders to learn about their passions that they apply into their projects. Cultivating relationships between DECA members ensures that new students will participate in chapter bonding events, and become more confident going into DECA competition alongside their classmates.
Q: How have the lessons learned at KP prepared you for your real-life marketing campaign with a 2012 graduate as you help her start a new business?
A: The lessons and skills I have learned from KP prepared me for success in the real world. I have the opportunity to collaborate with the KP DECA President from 2012 to help in the development of a marketing plan for the grand opening of her pickleball facility, ELEVEN0. Crafting ideas and generating marketing activities for a real business requires me to use problem-solving and strategic thinking skills to create an effective plan tailored to ELEVEN0. The time management skills I have learned from KP enable me to take accountability when meeting deadlines and fulfilling commitments, providing me with the tools I need to succeed in the real world. Additionally, effective communication methods are essential to sharing ideas and brainstorming marketing activities that will best achieve campaign goals. My organizational abilities have allowed me to plan meetings and keep information organized throughout the process of developing the marketing plan. All of the skills and lessons learned from my time at KP have given me the tools and confidence needed to navigate the challenges of the real world successfully.
Q: What skills do you bring to the role of Volleyball captain and why do you love participating in the sport?
A: Playing volleyball for KP has been one of my favorite experiences throughout high school. I had the honor of being voted captain by my teammates, allowing me to blend my leadership skills I have learned from DECA, KP Cares, and other activities onto the KP Volleyball team. Setting goals is a crucial aspect of our leadership approach, helping us remain focused all season. At the start of the season, the captains created a guiding phrase: “hard work beats talent.” This phrase helps the team stick to our goals and stay on track throughout games and practices. Another leadership skill that my fellow captains and I promote is maintaining a positive environment that fosters teamwork, bonding, and friendships. While winning games is our ultimate objective, achieving this is difficult when players are not having fun on the court. We emphasize the importance of team bonding activities to ensure that when we are not playing, we have a bond that translates into game-play connections on the court. The friendships made between my teammates is the reason why I love playing KP volleyball. We are building both a functioning team and a sisterhood, where my friendships grow off the court to make our playing better on the court.
Q: What advice do you have for students who have not yet found their interests/passions?
A: For students who are still searching for activities that suit them, my advice is to try new things until you find what you are passionate about. Do not be afraid to branch out and involve yourself in clubs/activities that your friends are not a part of, as wherever you end up, new connections and friendships will form in the environment you are in. You never know what's out there until you try it, so do not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone to find what motivates you.
