New DECA officers juniors Mikey Segal, Jimmy Arms, and sophomores Sophie Kedrowski and Mitch Jones found themselves tied up with new responsibility May 28.

DECA adviser Sophia Ross said current officers created a new tradition this year.

“Instead of crowning [the new officers] we tie them,” Ross said. “They have men’s ties and we put DECA pins on them and put it on the new officers.”

According to Ross, the new officers did not know what was going on, but seemed excited.

Ross said every year she gets close with the officers and she will miss the current group of seniors.

“I am sad that it is over. I am going to miss this crew a lot,” Ross said. “We have become a small family. They are like my kids because I see these guys more than I see my own kids. We had a really fun year.”

Ross said she would like to get more students to compete and participate in social activities next year.

“I would like to get all the students who are in our business and marketing program to become active in DECA,” Ross said. “I really want them to experience competition because once they do, they cannot wait for the next year to compete again.”

Jimmy Arms, one of the four new officers for the upcoming school year, said he is looking forward to next year.

“I am definitely most excited for competitions because it is a good time and you get to be with all the other chapters from around the Twin Cities,” Arms said.  “Also, I am excited to improve DECA in general by trying to increase attendance and make it even better than it was in the past.”

Arms said the dynamic will be different without the graduating seniors, but he believes the new officers will be a good team.

“I know (the seniors) are going to do great things. They are going to really great schools,” Arms said. “They will accomplish their goals, especially Dave, he has got everything.”

According to Arms, a majority of the DECA chapter is composed of seniors so they are trying to recruit new people to join.

“We are trying to spread the word about DECA. I had not even heard of DECA until my sophomore year and I did not join until this past year, so I just want to get the word out there,” Arms said.

Arms said next year the new officers are thinking of making the Sadies’ dance exclusively for underclassmen to increase attendance.

“Since juniors and seniors have Prom, we might makes Sadies’ just for freshman and sophomores,” Arms said. “We are also looking to increase numbers of people attending meetings, to be part of the chapter and not just say they are.”

Ross said it has been a successful year and she has accomplished her goals for DECA this year.

“In general, my goal is always for the students to become strong leaders within the school and community and try to grow personally and professionally,” Ross said.