This is the January edition of the Central Region DECA Newsletter.

1. Volume 1, Issue 4
January, 2012 Produced by Micah Melling, CRVP
Central Region DECA
A Word from Your CRVP
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Finding Ways to Give 2
Back
2
Each year, many DECA mem-
DECA and Politics
as I prepare for my bers has been one
Keys to a Role Play 3 annual New Year’s of the top high-
Eve Celebration, I lights of my DECA
State Officer Spot- 3 reflect on my career. I truly value
light friendships. This all of the friend-
year, I took quite a ships I’ve made,
The Movement 4
bit of time to reflect and I look forward
National President 4 on the friendships I to making more.
Update have formed during As you begin
my DECA career. a new year, I en-
DECA Members, I remain in courage you to take
Special points I love the close contact with time to reflect on
of interest: beginning of a new many of the people your friendships.
year. Actually, New who were a part of Set aside time this
 A successful DECA Year’s Day is my my high school’s year to let your
alumnus shares a favorite holiday. (It DECA chapter. I’m friends know how
motivational mes- just edges out still endeared to much you appreci-
sage about giving Christmas). the state officers I ate them.
back (Page 2). served with during
Part of the
reason I love New both my junior and
 Micah Melling has DECA Wishes,
Year’s Day is be- senior years. My
produced three
cause I have an fellow national offi-
political outreach
annual New Year’s cers will surely be
resources that can
Eve Celebration. life-long friends.
be accessed on
Starting a new year I’ve also
DECA’s SlideShare
with my closest been honored to Micah Melling
Account (Page 2).
friends is always an get to know many Central Region VP
 The State Officer incredible feeling. I of you. The bonds I DECA, Inc.
Spotlight shines on truly value my have formed as a 2011-2012
Kansas DECA’s friends and the national officer
Stephonn Alcorn support they have have been truly
(Page 3). given my over the meaningful. Con-
years. necting with so

2. PAGE 2 CENTRAL REGION DECA
An Alumni Perspective: Finding Ways to Give Back
have changed a bit. I were given to me are ability to speak and
am the first college passed down to fu- deliver great learning
graduate in my imme- ture students. programs, find a way
diate family and Be it a judge to give back.
earned a scholarship at a mini-competition, DECA taught
that paid my way a workshop facilitator, me many things. It
through Creighton or a State Officer Co- gave me the confi-
University (Go Jays!). I ordinator, I’ve found dence to trust my val-
am also a successful ways to put my time, ues and instincts
entrepreneur, operat- talent, and money to when making deci-
ing my own business work. What do you sions. It taught me
by Tyler Gassaway, that allows me to have that’s valuable the struggles of being
Bullseye Leadership travel across the to our organization? a leader in an organi-
In 2005, I was country speaking to What skills do you zation that is made
just another shy and high school students. possess that can in- only of other leaders.
ambitious junior stu- I have accomplished spire the future of DECA gave me a fan-
dent at Papillion- a lot in the past seven DECA in your school tastic network of
LaVista South High years and earned ti- or state? friends and business
School, a suburb out- tles and accolades professionals--some
Giving back
side of Omaha, Ne- along the way, but the whom I have made
has never been so
braska. I had never one title that I am lifelong connections
important in DECA’s
heard of DECA nor did most proud to claim is with. That’s the rea-
history. With federal
I have any intention that of a Nebraska son I choose to give
funding being cut and
on joining a large or- DECA alumnus. the economy strug- back. What will be
ganization. In fact, I Being a mem- gling to stay above yours?
wasn’t even sure if I ber of DECA had its water, we need the
was going to college. responsibilities. It skills and talents of
If I was, how would I wasn’t easy to fit the each of you to con-
get there? My family demands of a power- tinue to grow our or- For more
had no money to pay ful organization into ganization organically.
for it. My focus at the an already stressful information on
It will soon be your
time was girls. Well, high school schedule. responsibility to rein- Tyler and his
that and golf. And, if I What I have found is vest in an organiza-
was going to go to that as an alumnus, it endeavors, please
tion that has already
college, I was deter- is no different. I real- invested so much in visit www.tyler
mined to make it ized that it is a re- you. So be it with
sponsibility to ensure gassaway.com.
there with my 7-iron. your wallet, a free Sat-
Today, things the opportunities that urday, or your natural
Securing Our Future, Fighting for Funding
How does the government impact DECA? What is the Perkins Act? Do legislators
really know what Career and Technical Education is? These questions, and much more,
are addressed in three political outreach resources found on DECA’s Slide Share Ac-
count (www.slideshare.net/DECAInc). Central Region Vice President Micah Melling has
worked with federal legislators, employees of the U.S. Department of Education, and
leaders in Career and Technical Education to bring you these resources. Micah has
also recorded a YouTube video that helps to explain why reaching out to legislators is so
important. This video can be found on Micah’s YouTube Channel (MicahMelling).
Please take a look at these resources and learn about how the government impacts
DECA chapters.

3. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 PAGE 3
Keys to a Great Role-Play Performance
Marketing tition, be sure to do 2-3 questions. Shortly referring to a cutting-
analyst. Entrepre- your research—but before your presenta- edge marketing
neur. Business not just on market- tion, take a few mo- trend. Do something
manager. These are ing terms. Read ments to think about that none of your
all roles you may about the latest the questions you competitors will con-
embody during a trends in marketing may be asked and sider.
role play for DECA and business. how you should re- (4) Leave the
competition. Know any busi- spond. judge with a firm
The following nesses that are cur- (3) Focus on handshake and a
is a series of tips for rently in the news, doing something to smile. Yes, you’ve
role-play perform- too. stand out to the been told this before,
ances. These may (2) Anticipate judge. This can be but it’s extremely im-
be tips you have the questions your using an impactful portant. Leaving the
never heard before. judge will ask you. statistic or quote, judge on a positive
(1) Before Normally, the judge drawing a sample note can positively
you arrive at compe- will ask you between flyer on your notes, or impact your score.
The State Officer Spotlight is on Stephonn Alcorn
the President of the go to his role play.
United States. It is a “It was really
goal and a dream funny but embarrass-
that has stuck with ing at the same
me since,” says time,” says Stephonn.
Stephonn. “But my judges didn’t
As a junior, even notice!” “Go out there,
Stephonn is already In addition to
an accomplished thinking about his chase your dreams,
DECA member. But future U.S. Presi- and turn some
he’s not always had dency, Stephonn is
the best luck at DECA the junior class presi- heads in the
competitions. dent at his high process!” -
“During a school, a debater for
Meet DECA competition his school’s debate Stephonn Alcorn,
Stephonn Alcorn. when I was a fresh- team, and a member Vice President of
He’s currently the man, I went to the of a ping pong club.
Vice President of restroom, and as I Kansas DECA.
Kansas DECA
Kansas DECA, but he went to zip my zipper is privileged to have a
aspires to one day be back up , it just leader like Stephonn.
the President of the wouldn’t move at all,” And when he is Presi-
United States. explains Stephonn. dent, he can certainly
“Ever since I The zipper say that he got his
was in third grade, I soon fell off, and start in DECA.
have wanted to be Stephonn still had to

4. Central Region DECA Makes a “Movement”
Eight states in the Central Region are working to “make a difference” for the Muscular Dystrophy Asso-
ciation by participating in The Movement. These states are: Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, North Da-
kota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Kentucky. All of these states are committed to getting at least 8 chapters in
their association to participate in The Movement; each of these chapters will strive to raise a minimum of $500
more for MDA than they did last year. All of these states deserve recognition for their efforts to “make a differ-
ence” for those with muscular dystrophy.
A Letter from Your National President
to attend, and ICDC warding.
to aim for! I want to
When looking challenge all of you
forward to this new to take on a little
year, remember to more that what you
keep DECA in mind KNOW you can
with your new year achieve this year.
resolutions. Stay on Keep pushing for-
your DECA game by ward like you have
getting involved and done all school year,
practicing for those but kick it into high
competitive events. gear! I wish all of
Central Region My resolution you the best of luck
DECA, this year is to push at your conferences,
I hope all of the limits on what I and I hope to see all
you are as excited think I can achieve. of you at ICDC!
about this new year We all aim to win
as I am! When look- and be successful, Happy New Year,
ing at 2012, I see a but if we go farther
world of opportuni- than the expecta-
ties awaiting every tions we set for our- Claire Coker
DECA student. You selves, the finished National President
all have people to products of our ef- 2011-2012
meet, conferences fort are more re-