Contributed by Daniela Rivero | Cypress Bay High School DECA, FL
Having one of the largest chapters in the world comes with countless opportunities. Building a strong community, creating innovative curriculums and more. However, students may not realize the potential of using their DECA chapter as a tool to spread awareness on causes that matter to them.
One of our Project Management Community Awareness projects this year at Cypress Bay High School, led by Director of Marketing Ivette Barger and Executive Council Officer Isabella De Oliveira, found a way to utilize the strong community that is their chapter to ignite and inspire conversations surrounding epilepsy. Through Project HOPE, several events and efforts were planned and executed to spread awareness about epilepsy around Cypress Bay.
The team accomplished their goal through several workshops throughout November to all DECA classes, even collaborating with our school’s HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) chapter to reach as many people as possible.
After using DECA to help educate as many people as possible, Project HOPE held several pickleball tournaments for donations attended by masses of chapter members, allowing them to ultimately be able to provide substantial donations to the Epilepsy Foundation, the leading organization in epilepsy awareness.
This project has proved to be a great example of how DECA can be more than just a “business club” or a school curriculum. DECA is also there to assist people in giving back to their community in ways they might not realize. One of DECA’s pillars is “Community Oriented,” and it is important that chapters understand that the possibilities are endless when utilizing DECA as a tool to inspire and assist the community.
To keep up with the progress of Project HOPE and their efforts, follow them on Instagram: @projecthope23, as they continue their mission of raising awareness on the commonality of epilepsy and seizures.
For more information on other events and efforts, follow Cypress Bay DECA on Instagram @decacbhs.
