The beginning of this school year marks the election of school officers and the continuation of current state officers.

School officers, also known as the chapter officers, help manage DECA on the chapter level. The chapter officers of this co-curricular activity help plan multiple competitions and events, such as the Fall Leadership Conference, that members of DECA will participate in.

According to DECA sponsor Janice Brown, the election of this year’s chapter officers was scheduled to occur on Sept. 2, but that process has been delayed. “The elections will probably take place sometime next week,” Brown said.

Brown says that the chapter officers play a prominent role in DECA, and without new officers it is hard to say what direction the organization will take this year.

Although the elections for the chapter officers have not taken place yet, the state officers have already been elected last March. Each chapter, or school, sent two representatives for possible placement onto the state team of officers.

The selection process consists of first an interview process and then simulations of different situations that may arise. From there, a group of 11 officers will be chosen. Olivia LaMagna, vice president of communications for the state chapter and senior, says that the state officers have similar responsibilities as the chapter officers. “State officers help organize state conferences, help prepare for international competitions, and for this year, we’re trying to raise $15,000 for our sponsors,” LaMagna said.

On top of that, each officer on the state board has his or her individual responsibilities.

“For my position as the vice president of communications, my job is to broadcast and get the word out about different events and participate in video announcements,” LaMagna said. By Chris Li <[email protected]>