INITIATIVES
INCLUSION STATEMENT
Washington DECA is committed to building an environment where our members, advisors, and volunteers are respected and empowered.
ACCESS THROUGH A NEW LENS
Access refers to ensuring everyone has the ability to participate and removing barriers.
Inclusion means actively creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and able to fully participate regardless of their background or abilities, going beyond access to encompass a sense of belonging and engagement.
PAST INITIATIVES + ONGOING PROGRAMS
Youth Equity Scholarship Fund
As staunch advocates for equal access, we spearhead the YES Fund, which provides financial support to students who may otherwise be unable to participate in DECA programs.
From boosting academic performance and facilitating smooth college transitions to bolstering self-confidence in their career trajectories, the YES Fund seeks to be the wind beneath their wings.
Competition Bootcamps
DECA’s competitive events are a cornerstone of the program, helping students apply classroom knowledge to real-world business scenarios. However, not all members have equal access to the resources or guidance needed to succeed. For the past few years, we’ve offered both virtual and in-person Competition Bootcamps—so every member has the opportunity to prepare effectively and compete with confidence.
Monthly Awareness Instagram Posts
For Awareness Month Celebrations, we posted every month on our Instagram to honor a range of cultures, backgrounds and people
Anti-Bias Judging Techniques
We helped created an educational flier for judges, identifying what bias judging is and tips to judge fairly
A+I Panel
Panel provided on the importance of access and inclusion in the workplace for hundreds of attendees at the Fall Leadership Conference in 2022 and 2023
A+I Exhibit Booth
Our team tabled during the Fall Leadership Conference, allowing members a chance to share their DECA experience, encouraging uniqueness and inclusion across all backgrounds.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT ACCESS + INCLUSION IN WASHINGTON DECA
- Ask and do not assume race or gender, asking politely is best.
- Invite everybody in your conversations and include others in conference activities.
- Speaking up for members around you and being a role model against any discrimination. If you see anything disrespectful, please report to your advisor or a trusted adult.
- Advocate for those around you and realize that everyone’s circumstances are different.
- Help to make resources more accessible for everyone. Don’t be afraid to share your competition experience or learn from others.
- Be willing to learn and be open-minded.
The Access + Inclusion Team
The Washington DECA Access + Inclusion Taskforce is a student-led team that creates initiatives so members of all cultures, backgrounds and identities can feel empowered to excel in DECA.
The applications for the Washington DECA A+I Taskforce are currently being evaluated and accepted applicants will be notified in June.
AVANI BANSAL
Hi! My name is Avani Bansal and I’m a senior from Overlake High School in Area 4. I joined the DEI team so I could work towards making DECA a more accessible and inclusive space. Through DEI, we can make sure the opportunities DECA offers are available to everyone!
AVIANCA BAUER
MADDI TRAN
MELINDA LE
Hi everyone! My name is Melinda Le and I’m a senior at Olympia High School in Area 8. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are integral to the uplifting WA DECA community that has empowered me. As a Team Lead, I’m honored to serve all students by helping build inclusive and equitable educational opportunities.
PRAVEENA MEHENDRAN
Hi everyone! My name is Praveena Mahendran, a 4th year Washington DECA member from Eastlake High School in Area 3. I joined DEI because I wanted to help make WA DECA accessible and inclusive for all students, so they can experience the same opportunities that helped to make me into the person I am today. Because of that, I am so excited to help lead this incredible team this year as one of the DEI team leads!
ALLEN TAN
Hey!! I am Allen and from Mountain View High School in Area 9. DEI is important to me because I believe that everyone should be aware of upcoming events and included in them. This ensures that everyone can have an equal given opportunity to work hard and succeed in DECA. I hope to meet and connect with as many DECA members at the different conferences this year!
AMY FUGH
Hi there! I’m a senior from Pullman High School in Area 11. I joined the DEI team so everyone can have the resources they need to succeed which can be a challenge especially for those at schools in rural areas. I hope everyone will look back on their time in DECA as a welcoming and fun experience!
ANANYA PRAKASH
My name is Ananya and I am a senior at Eastlake High School in Area 3. I joined the DEI team to work towards making Washington DECA more equitable and accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. DECA has provided incredible opportunities for me to learn and grow as a person. I hope to share those opportunities with others and foster a welcoming environment for members across the state!
ALEXIA ACUNA-AVILA
Hii! My name is Alexia Acuna-Avila and I’m a senior at Archbishop Murphy High School in Area 2. I’m excited to be apart of our amazing DEI team and contribute towards making all Washington DECA members feel welcomed and uplifted!
DEEKSHA KORADA
Hi! I’m Deeksha Korada and I am a sophomore at Interlake High School in Area 4. For me, DEI is about more than just representation—it’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. I’m excited to be part of the DEI team and aim to help create a connected environment where every student’s voice is uplifted.
ELLA ZHOU
Hello! I’m Ella Zhou, a sophomore at Skyline High School in Area 4. I’m honored to be a part of Washington DECA’s DEI team and strive to increase awareness of DEI. I’m passionate about DECA and hope to make everyone feel welcomed in our DECA community.
ESHAAN VERMA
I am Eshaan Verma, and I attend Eastlake High School in Area 3! I joined the DEI team because I’m passionate about ensuring an equitable experience for all WA DECA members. I want to ensure that all WA DECA members have the opportunity to excel in DECA.
FAHYA YUNUS
Hi! I’m Fayha Yunus, a junior at Eastlake High School in Area 3. I joined the DEI team becase I want to make a positive impact in ensuring that DECA is an equitable, fair, and fun experience for all members!
JAZLIN BETANCOURT
Hi everyone! My name is Jazlin and I go to West Valley High School in Yakima in area 10. I wanted to join the DEI team because I am very passionate about DECA and I’ve always wanted to serve in this amazing organization. I want to help ensure that all members are provided a space where they are comfortable and appreciated to have everything they need to succeed. DECA is an organization for all and with the DEI team we can advocate for everyone.
ADITYA VERMA
Hi! I’m Aditya, a senior from Skyline High School in Area 4! As I enter my third year in DECA, I’m honored to be a part of this amazing community. I joined the DEI team to help ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed and feel valued in our organization, just as I did. My goal is to create a positive impact on WA DECA and help everyone have an incredible experience!
MIR PARK
Hey everyone! My name is Mir and I’m from Pullman High School in Area 11. After helping grow our school’s chapter, I realized the importance of making sure all these members are on an even playing field and joined DEI to help make that goal come true!
ADRIAN LOEWENHERZ
My name is Adrian Loewenherz and I go to Roosevelt High School in Area 4. I decided to join the DEI team because I wanted to ensure WA DECA is accessible and equitable for all of its members.
MAYA BELETE
Hi! My names Maya and I’m a senior from Area 5. I’m super stoked to join DEI as black girl from a small diverse chapter. It’s my 2nd year in DECA but I’ve loved it here so far: from the connections, to the competition, to all of the amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I’m so excited to represent DECA and be a part of the change that fosters a more inclusive community. If you see me, say hi!
ANAYA JAIN
My name is Ananya, and I’m a senior at Woodinville High School. I joined DEI to help make sure everyone in Washington DECA has an equal and positive experience. My goal in DEI is to ensure that each competitor has an equal opportunity to succeed in this competition. I’m passionate about DECA and excited to be a part of this team.
AFORMIA THEODROS
Hi everyone! My name is Afomia, and I’m currently a senior at Archbishop Murphy High School. I joined DEI to help make Washington DECA more diverse and to ensure that opportunities are accessible to everyone. In addition to being part of the DEI team, I’m also the president of our school’s DECA chapter. My main goal this year is to create an inclusive environment where all students can experience the same empowering and transformative impact that DECA has had on me. I’m excited to be part of the DEI team and look forward to all the amazing things we’ll achieve this year!
SANA DAVID
I’m Sana David, a sophomore at Interlake High School in Area 4. To me, DEI isn’t necessarily just an “organizational framework” (the dictionary definition); it is a process of indefinite length. I’m honored to be a part of this process as a DEI ambassador this year. I joined the team because I want to provide support and opportunities to all DECA members, no matter their backgrounds and/or circumstances.
SUNEHRI NOG
Sunehri Nog is a junior at Eastlake High School in Area 3 and is excited to be a part of the DEI team to be a part of celebrating the diversity in DECA!
VAISHNAVI ANNAMRAJU
Vaishnavi Annamraju is a senior at Eastlake High School (Area 3) and is elated to serve on the Washington DECA DEI team this year! She joined the DEI team to make success more accessible for all DECA members by providing them with the resources they need and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
VIHITHA KUMAR
Hi! I’m Vihitha Kumar, and I’m a junior at Eastlake High School in Area 3. I joined WA DECA DEI to ensure everybody across the state has equal access to both professional and competitive resources.
JAZLYNE SURANI
Hi! My name is Jazlyne, and I am a Junior at North Creek High School. I joined DEI to help others in Washington DECA feel as included as I did, and to help create more opportunities for our community. In addition to being part of the DEI team, I am also the VP of retail operations at my school’s DECA chapter. My goals for this year are to make a meaningful impact that can be used for DEI in future years, and to connect members from all across WA. I am so excited to be a part of this team and can’t wait for the amazing events this year will hold!
ARYA PRABAKAR
Hello, my name is Arya Prabakar and I am a Junior at Olympia High School, part of Area 8. I joined the DEI team to make DECA an even more amazing environment for everyone than it already is. Over my past three years in the club, I have had so many amazing experiences in DECA and I hope to make that experience universal for all members.
PAST DEI PRESIDENTS
WILLIAM CHANG
2023-2024 WA DECA State President
ALEX PETERSON
ANIKA HALAPPANAVAR
2022-2023 WA DECA State President
SRISHTI MANGAL
SUHANI NOG
2021-2022 WA DECA State President
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Email info@wadeca.org