Welcome back to the 2021-2022 school year! The State Officer Team, Board of Directors, and I wish you great success as you prepare your students to return to the classroom for a productive and enjoyable year. And even better news, MD DECA had a 19% growth in membership last year which was recognized by the National DECA Board of Directors! Please work to continue to be safe and healthy as we pursue educational endeavors including those opportunities that we have with MARYLAND DECA (MD DECA).

This year MD DECA is taking a Club approach for participation. We are hoping to see more chapters engage and participate by moving this program to club and after school activities to encourage participation. We hope this can meet your needs in your school district and your school, especially those who do not have a formalized CTSO for DECA at this time. With it being an after school club program, you can still meet the requirements by introducing curriculum based activities and subjects that connect to the four prongs within DECA:

Marketing

Hospitality & Tourism

Finance

Business Management & Administration

Stay tuned for more updates to this path and we hope to see many of your schools reactivate your chapters OR spread the word to other schools to join in now! Those who have remained active chapters, it's time to start marketing and submitting your membership! I am excited for a year where you can prepare your students to MAXIMIZE THEIR MOMENTUM!

-Diana Hegmann, MD DECA State Advisor