Karina is from a small town called Duvall and has lived there her whole life. In high school, her passion became DECA, competing in marketing communications, helping with community service events, and helping lead her chapter to success since her sophomore year. With her free time she spends time people she loves most and is never afraid to try something new.

Becoming Area President was something Karina always aspired for since her freshman year, and now as a senior she is accomplishing that goal by being the next Area 1 President.

She hopes to meet many of you and listen to your ideas! Never be afraid to chat with her, as she’s always up for meeting new people. Karina is excited for Washington DECA’s next adventure and is excited to go to infinity and beyond with you all!

Taylor Johnson is a Junior at Lynnwood High School in Bothell, WA, and is overjoyed to serve as the 2024-2025 Area 2 President and VP of Marketing. She has been in her DECA Chapter since her freshman year after becoming interested in the business and marketing career field. She feels as though she has found a place to initiate her goals and aspirations.

Outside of DECA, Taylor loves to read books and says it’s her escape to another world. Along with reading she also enjoys writing, she likes to write poetry, fiction, and general fantasy. Along with pursuing a career in marketing and business, she hopes to become a side-gig author and publish her first book by age 20.

In the future, Taylor hopes to attend a 4-year university to pursue her dream of being involved in a job within the marketing field, specifically interested in the sports marketing category.

Praveena Mahendran is an incoming senior at Eastlake High School and is elated to be serving as this year’s Area 3 President and Vice President of Finance! A four-year DECA member, she has had the upmost privilege of attending all stages of competition with qualifying for SCDC three times in a row, as well as qualifying to present her favorite event – Innovation Plan – at the International Career Development Conference for the past 2 years.

Praveena has served on her chapter’s officer team for 2 consecutive years where she has helped to grow membership to around 400 active members, run her chapter’s mentorship program which seats over 30+ qualified mentors and 100+ mentees, and ensure everything is running smoothly in her big chapter. She also serves on Washington DECA’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Ambassador team, which ignited her passion to run for state office. Now as an officer, she can’t wait to connect with all of WA DECA’s members!

Outside of DECA, you can find Praveena as the president of her school’s biology club, volunteering at organizations she’s passionate about, or painting at her weekly art classes. In the future she hopes to one day study biochemistry and go on to become a surgeon, helping as many people as she can. She also hopes to use the skills she has gained from DECA to eventually open up her own clinic! Until then however, she’s excited to redirect her attention to first make an impact on YOU, and your DECA journey this year!

Madison Clem is a senior at Eastside Catholic, and elated to be serving as the 2024-2025 Area 4 President, and Vice President of Career Development. Her freshman year, she landed in marketing class due to a schedule mix-up, and now is living out the fourth year of her DECA journey. She has become enthralled with the sense of community within DECA, and has loved connecting with others who match her level of dedication.

Madison has competed at ICDC twice, winning first place in PMSP at SCDC her sophomore year, as well as becoming a finalist. In the future, Madison aims to study business at a Southern Californian school, or an East Coast urban college. Outside of DECA, Madison serves not only on the tennis court, but also as Senior Class President. She is also committed to managing a nonprofit, and volunteering as a summer camp counselor. In her spare time, she enjoys attending concerts and listening to Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo.

Being a DECA member has taught Madison about what it means to be a leader, as well as the best way to carry yourself throughout life. Madison is very grateful for each opportunity DECA has brought and encourages others to join in on the excitement she holds for DECA!

Amanda Phan is a senior at Hazen High School, and is honored to serve as your Area 5 president and Vice President of Leadership. She is entering her fourth year of DECA, and she was lucky enough to place 3rd at SCDC and compete at ICDC last year! DECA helped her discover her passion in entrepreneurship and challenged her to branch outside her comfort zone. Amanda is grateful to be part of DECA because it has offered her a wonderful sense of community and support.

Beyond her involvement in DECA, Amanda loves to give back to her community. She serves as the president of the Asian Student Coalition, the largest club at the school, overseeing meetings that regularly have over 100 attendees. Amanda’s passion for empowering and educating youth shines through her volunteer teaching at her local church every Saturday. She loves picking up new hobbies in her free time, such as playing brawl stars.

Amanda intends to pursue engineering with the goal of establishing her own consulting firm in the future. She enjoys meeting new people and is always open to conversation! As a state officer, Amanda wants to cultivate a supportive environment where all members feel a sense of belonging. She is thrilled to serve as the Area 5 President for Washington DECA during the 2024-2025 school year, aiming to empower every student to infinity and beyond!

Advaitha Motkuri is a junior at Richland High School and is honored to be serving as the 2024-2025 Area 6 President and the Vice President of Hospitality. She has been in DECA since her freshman year, participating in the Food Marketing series and taking first place at Area as well as placing third in the Financial Literacy Project for state, which qualified her for ICDC. She has also served as her chapter’s Vice President. Advaitha truly believes that the potential DECA holds for each and every student is infinite, and it is her goal to make this path more accessible to all.

Outside of DECA, Advaitha is the Vice President of Key Club and the Sergeant-at-Arms for TSA at her high school. She is also an Eagle Scout, a poom belt in Taekwondo, and holds a junior degree in Indian classical music. Additionally, Advaitha won the grand prize at her regional science fair and has represented her region at the International Science and Engineering Fair twice. In the future, she plans to study computer science and get an MBA to eventually start her own business.

One of Advaitha’s favorite quotes is, “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.” With passion, hard work, and a little bit of healthy competition, Advaitha believes anyone can reach their goals. She encourages everyone in DECA to pursue their dreams fearlessly and to seize every opportunity. Advaitha looks forward to supporting and leading DECA members to success this year.

Melissa Aparicio-Domingo is a senior at Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup, WA and is proud to serve as the 2024-2025 Area 7 President and Vice President of Hospitality. This is her third year within the DECA program, and she has managed to qualify for SCDC her two previous years. No other club or sport interested Melissa as much as DECA. Part of the reason why she loves it so much was due to the amazing experiences and incomparable opportunities that DECA offered. Her involvement within DECA has enriched her knowledge and has made her feel confidently prepared for her future. After high school she plans to pursue a finance degree.

Outside of DECA, Melissa enjoys actively working with the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce helping provide student input for their upcoming student networking program as she hopes to contribute with the expansion of resource opportunities for students. When she has free time her favorite thing to do is scrapbook since she loves preserving items from her favorite moments and decorating them. As well as baking, which she was taught from her older sister, and playing the violin, which she has played for seven years.

Melissa’s passion for DECA has continued to grow throughout the years due to all the experiences she has had with members and mentors. It is a journey that she has enjoyed so far and there is so much more that she looks forward to!

Melinda Le is a Senior at Olympia High School, and is thrilled to serve as the Area 8 President and State Vice President of Finance for the 2024-2025 year! As a fourth year DECA member, she has competed in Food Marketing and Integrated Marketing Campaign Product, placing 1st at Area for both and 4th at SCDC in Project Management Community Awareness.

She has thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the DECA community, serving as a 3x Chapter Officer and Washington DECA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Ambassador. Along with the countless opportunities, friendships, and memories that DECA has to offer, the uplifting members and advisors who fuel this enriching experience is what inspires Melinda most of all.

Apart from the people, DECA has been a platform for her to step out of her comfort zone and grow confident in doing so. As a driving force for equity, she hopes to elevate the 15,000+ members of Washington DECA with the accessible resources, environment, and opportunities to reach infinite possibilities and beyond.

Beyond the blazer, Melinda actively engages with her community as a Peer Tutor, Advisor on the Olympia Youth Council, and volunteers at local cultural events. She loves exploring lively cities, making sushi, trying new foods and drinks, and spending time with her friends and family. In the future, she plans to study Computer or Data Science with a minor in Economics at a university and enter the tech industry.

Waleed Chaudhry is a Senior at Skyview High School in Vancouver, Washington, and is excited to be serving as your Area 9 President and Vice President of Leadership. He has been a dedicated member of DECA for three years, competing at area, state, and national levels, and was a international finalist in the Business Growth Plan event. Waleed is passionate about business and leadership, and is eager to share that passion with his peers across Washington DECA. 

Waleed first found his interest in business through DECA competitions and leadership roles. Alongside his DECA involvement, he is also passionate about global affairs. As President of his school’s Model UN club, he has developed strong skills in diplomacy and strategic thinking. At school, Waleed is an active member of the varsity track and tennis teams, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and teamwork. Previously, he served as Skyview High School DECA chapter’s Vice President before stepping into his current role as Area 9 President. He hopes to eventually study either Economics or Political Science in college and pursue a career in the business field. 

DECA has helped Waleed develop professional, interpersonal, and leadership skills. He hopes he can help Washington DECA provide those same development opportunities for its 15,000+ members and looks forward to supporting his fellow DECA members in the upcoming year.

Caitlin Pham is a senior from West Valley High School (Yakima) and is thrilled to serve once again as your Area 10 President and Vice President of Leadership! She is a four-year DECA member, ICDC finalist in Community Giving Project, and the recipient of the 2022 Area 10 Member of the Year award and a 2023 Western Region Member of the Month.

Caitlin hopes to study international relations and international business and work for a non-profit battling food insecurity after being inspired by her DECA community service project. If she has spare time, she enjoys embroidering gifts for her family and friends, sewing, Knowledge Bowl, volunteering, making an unsuccessful attempt at thinking up creative social media ideas, and reading classic literature.

Throughout her years in DECA, Caitlin has found that many people get swept up in competition and forget that DECA is about more than business and marketing. She believes that every member has the opportunity to grow their heart and community through DECA! With chapter and advisor support, every individual is perfectly capable of launching their own campaign to better their community in different ways. Caitlin has found that the impact you can make this way will stick with you just as long as a championship medal. Please reach out to her with questions or comments at any time.

Above all else, Marton is thrilled to be your Area 11 President and VP of Career Development!

Secondary, he is a senior at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, where he is experiencing the DECA difference for the 3rd year in a row. Marton held chapter positions as PR then Chapter President before being elected to serve as the Area 11 President. Two years back, Marton competed at ICDC for financial consulting, and last year he presented about a part of his grander work towards mandated financial education in high school which includes soon-to-be published statistical research, legislative analysis, and political lobbying in Olympia and Spokane.

Marton was born in New Jersey to Hungarian parents. He is a second generation immigrant with dual citizenship who loves traveling back to Hungary, and tries to bring some of it back with him when he participates as a leader, teaching for the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris which has a local chapter in Seattle and yearly international camps in New York.

Marton is dedicated to his love for people, interning at the Spokesman Review to further cultivate his interest in the pursuit of knowledge. Marton hopes to study philosophy and behavioral economics in college to then go to graduate school for a dual MBA/JD program to pursue a career in business or corporate law, with hopes of a role in politics later in life.

At school, Marton is dedicated to his classes and held other leadership positions such as President of Extemporaneous Speaking before committing fully to the Lewis and Clark DECA chapter and now to the 15,000+ WA DECA students he is proud to serve. Marton plans to create a culture of connection in WA DECA, and hopes to meet as many members as possible!