State Officer Candidates

Congratulations to all the candidates! The new officers will take office as of July 1, 2012. They will attend the International Career Development Conference, where they will start their leadership training. They will also receive training at the Michigan CTSO Training Camp in May, and in July, the Western Regional Officer Training Camp in Arizona, and the Summer Officer Leadership Training in Washington DC.

May we present the 2012-2013 Michigan DECA State Officers:

	Hayley Owczarzak Bay Arenac Career Center, District 1 I have limitless reasons why I want to be a state officer. I feel this would be an amazing lifetime experience, with opportunities to learn more about people and business. I feel it would broaden my knowledge of business and entrepreneurship. Also, it would allow me to network with many new people and learn from hearing about their experiences. I will be able to grow in my leadership skills and as an individual. I feel this opportunity will better prepare me for my career choice and lead me in the right direction. Last but not least, I am a hard worker, well-rounded, get along well with others, and feel that these qualities would be an asset as a DECA member.			Abigail Flis Livonia Stevenson High School, District 5 I want to be a Michigan DECA State Officer because I would like to be more involved in what happens in Michigan DECA, develop my leadership skills, and represent the organization that has presented me with opportunities for success. I want to give DECA members what I’ve gotten from my involvement: passion for DECA.
	Paul Studebaker Jenison High School, District 2 I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to run for a Michigan DECA State Officer. Since my freshman year participating in DECA, I have developed a great sense of pride and understanding for the impact that DECA can place on students’ lives. We are in a cold time in America’s history and the country is searching for future leaders to take us out of the dark. I believe that DECA gives young adults the tools needed to play this role in society. I want to keep this tradition and excellence going while also enjoying learning this myself, at the highest level. This would also prepare and set me forward greatly for my future family, classrooms, and profession.			Leah Moskovitz West Bloomfield High School, District 6 I want to be a Michigan DECA State Officer so that I can help every DECA member in the state realize their true potential as a future business leader. I want the opportunity to educate and inspire new and prospective members to become more involved in all of the programs DECA has to offer, as well as keeping highly active members’ involvement strong. I will work to inspire both new and senior members to constantly strive for improvement. But most importantly, I want to instill the same passion for business in every student who joins that DECA was instilled in me.
	Jesse Solis Three Rivers High School, District 3 I would like to be a Michigan DECA State Officer for many reasons. DECA has motivated me throughout my high school career while helping me shape my future. Serving as a State Officer would be the least I could do to give back to this organization for all that it has blessed me with. I have obtained many leadership traits, and to be able to serve as an offi cer would help mold my leadership skills to higher levels, and allow me to become an even more qualified leader in my future career. DECA has been one of my favorite things about high school thus far. To serve as a State Officer would be a dream come true.			Kara Govan North Farmington High School, District 6 I want to be a Michigan DECA State Officer for a number of reasons. First, I want to participate in the organization I am most passionate about. I want to create DECA awareness and increase the number of Michigan members, while doing whatever I can to make Michigan DECA better. Secondly, I seek state offi ce because I want to be part of an influential organization. Not only can I do many things for DECA, but I believe that it can help me reach my career goals. I believe being a DECA State Offi cer will make me a more mature, organized, and well-rounded businesswoman.
	Dillon Stuart Ann Arbor Skyline High School, District 4 I strive to be a leader in my community. Being a state officer would provide me with a valuable leadership experience. I want to increase my involvement in DECA by organizing and coordinating DECA events. My platform would be to build upon networking opportunities for DECA members. I want to represent DECA positively for the state of Michigan. I’ve seen the benefits DECA membership can offer, and I’d like to reach out and increase DECA awareness in high school students.			Karolina Rejniak Hamtramck High School, District 8 I want to become a Michigan DECA State Officer because I really enjoy being a DECA member and want to expand my opportunities. DECA is a wonderful organization and this is why I plan to participate in collegiate DECA. Therefore, I plan on pursuing a career in Marketing; this will help me further understand the meaning of being a good leader. I also want to facilitate other members to be innovative and teach them the values of teamwork.