Junior Deca officer Izzi Gilbert Burke said she hopes to have more students involved in Deca this year.

“The more people that are involved adds to the whole atmosphere and makes it better for everyone,” Gilbert Burke said. “It also gives people experiences that will help them in their life, so the more people there are, the more people who benefit.”

Deca co-adviser Sophia Ross said Deca met Sept. 7 to discuss the club and its annual New York trip.

“At the last meeting it was just an introductory meeting. We welcomed any new members who are interested, high school students body people to check out what Deca does. We introduced ourselves,” Ross said. “We spent a lot of time during that meeting talking about the New York trip which doesn’t take place until December.”

Adams, a new career and technical teacher at Park, said members plan on attending the Fall Leadership Conference in Minneapolis in November, which provides student professional development in modern business and skill.

“(The conference is) held downtown which is an opportunity for students to go and attend different seminars and lectures about professionalism and being a leader,” Adams said. “It’s also about sessions about what is Deca what are other schools doing in Deca.”

Ross said she enjoys advising Deca because she builds great relationships with her students.

“What I really love about being a Deca adviser and why I’m excited to bring Sally onboard is that you really get to know students on a more of a personal level,” Ross said.

Adams said she previously advised Deca at Eden Prairie High School and decided to continue at Park because she enjoys the program.

“I was a Deca adviser for five years in Eden Prairie and now that I’m working here I basically asked Sophia if I could do it with her and she had a co-director in the past and she graciously agreed to allow me to do that and I just love doing it,” Adams said. “It’s really a fun job I enjoy working with students and I feel like I’m helping them gain some great skills.”

Adams said she hopes Deca provides students with positive experiences.

“My goal is for students to learn and to have a great time. The reason we have Deca is to watch our students grow,” Adams said.

Gilbert Burke said she enjoys being in Deca because it teaches skills helpful outside of high school.

“I love that it’s a practical club that can help you in the long run,” Gilbert Burke said. “I also love that you create connections and hear stories that you may not hear anywhere else.”

Deca’s next meeting will take place at 8 a.m Sept. 20. in room B229.