Your 2021-2022 State Officer Team
Team Extreme
Washington DECA Officers are elected by their peers and represent Washington’s membership. The State Officer team develops a Program of Leadership for the year that aligns with the strategic goals of Washington DECA. Throughout the year the team interacts with DECA members to implement and enhance Washington DECA’s programs.
State Officers are also available to meet and visit with your DECA chapter as well as attend your events.
Your 2020-2021 State Officer Team
Team Extreme
Washington DECA Officers are elected by their peers and represent Washington’s membership. The State Officer team develops a Program of Leadership for the year that aligns with the strategic goals of Washington DECA. Throughout the year the team interacts with DECA members to implement and enhance Washington DECA’s programs.
State Officers are also available to meet and visit with your DECA chapter as well as attend your events.
Meet The Team
Suhani Nog
STATE PRESIDENT
Eastlake High School
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State President
Suhani Nog
Suhani Nog is a Senior at Eastlake High School in Sammamish and is your 2021-2022 Washington DECA State President! Suhani has been a DECA member for the last 4 years, has triple qualified for SCDC, and double qualified for ICDC. She also served as Eastlake DECA’s Vice President of Operations for the 2020-2021 school year.
Beyond DECA, Suhani is passionate about science, serves as an officer for her high school’s Science National Honor Society, and has been a member of Eastlake’s HOSA chapter for the past 4 years. In her free time, Suhani enjoys spending time with her friends and family, singing, dancing, and acting.
Suhani hopes to be an entrepreneur and run her own orthodontic practice in the future. Through competing in Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making for the past 4 years, Suhani has learned invaluable knowledge in entrepreneurship, and life skills such as problem-solving, creativity, professionalism, and confidence.
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” is a quote that Suhani tries to live by every day and one that she believes DECA embodies perfectly. DECA brings together people from all backgrounds and aspirations but unites us as people who strive to become leaders and change the world for the better. Suhani has made innumerable lifelong relationships and connections through DECA, and she hopes to enhance that community and share it with DECA members across the state!
Aidan Perales
AREA 1 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING
Burlington-Edison High School
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AREA 1 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF marketing
AIDAN PERALES
Aidan Perales is part of the Class of 2022 at Burlington-Edison High School in upper Western Washington (which is close enough to escape to Canada with an hour’s notice). Aidan is excited to be the 2021-2022 Area 1 President. Aidan is a three-year DECA member, has participated in two SCDC’s, one WRLC, and one ICDC. However, he is so excited to see what his fourth year of DECA involvement brings.
Aidan is also very involved with many activities at his high school. He’s a 3-sport athlete running Cross-Country and Track, in addition to swimming for his high school and Club Team in Bellingham, Washington. Aidan also seeks to develop his leadership skills by being involved in various clubs and organizations. This includes serving on the Green Club Leadership Team and organizing activities and events that encourage school spirit through a leadership class and his role as ASB President. Aidan also loves to encourage and support his fellow student-athletes by cheering them on at every sporting event he can attend! His love of sports also led him to serve on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association LEAP Committee where he is able to elevate the voices of student-athletes and give opinions at WIAA Board Meetings and events.
Aidan plans to attend college in the Fall of 2022 and major in something related to marketing, advertisement, business administration, or product design, but is keeping his mind open due to all of the amazing opportunities and experiences DECA has given him that make it hard to pick!
Andrew Miner
AREA 2 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF HOSPITALITY
Shorecrest High School
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AREA 2 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF HOSPITALITY
ANDREW MINER
Much like his favorite Starbucks drink, Iced Tap water, Andrew hopes to bring a unique freshness to his DECA Team this year. As a Senior at Shorecrest High School in Shoreline Washington, Andrew is thrilled to serve as your Area 2 DECA President for the 2021-2022 year. Initially captivated by the opportunities to travel across the country, Andrew has been a member of DECA since his freshman year of high school.
Through his involvement in DECA, Andrew has served as both the Vice President of Leadership and Vice President of Hospitality for Shorecrest DECA. He has also competed in the Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making event where his team has made it to ICDC Finals. Additionally, Andrew has participated in the Restaurant, Hotel, and Fashion Virtual Business Challenges in which he qualified for ICDC in the Restaurant event.
Andrew’s favorite parts of DECA are the connections that he has been able to make. He has found that being surrounded by like-minded individuals in a professional setting is really eye-opening and has allowed him to forge lifelong bonds and connections with other DECA members.
Furthermore, Andrew enjoys skiing, watersports, flying, and eating new food. He currently works as a lifeguard and swim instructor at a local pool and is an athlete on Shorecrest’s golf, swim, and cross-country teams. He hopes to attend the United States Naval Academy and major in Economics with Applied Mathematics. He would like to serve as a Naval Aviator and transition into the corporate aviation industry later in life.
SANJANA REDDY
AREA 3 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF HOSPITALITY
Lake Washington High School
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AREA 3 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF HOSPITALITY
SANJANA REDDY
Sanjana Reddy is a senior at Lake Washington High School who is delighted to serve as your Area 3 President. She first joined DECA to have the opportunity to go to Disney World but at ICDC, she found an amazing global community that encouraged her to continue her DECA journey. As a fourth year DECA member, she has competed in a variety of events that have taken her to ICDC namely: Principles of Marketing, Student Based Enterprise, Project Management Career development, and Automotive Services Marketing.
As the LWHS DECA Vice President of DECA Events, she has watched many students from her chapter thrive through DECA and she hopes to bring that spirit statewide! Sanjana believes that the skills learned from DECA can be used in any career path, making DECA beneficial to everyone.
Outside of DECA, Sanjana is an officer of her school’s Key Club and Girls Who Code club as well as a Link Crew Leader. In her free time, you can find her hanging out with her friends or trying out a new dessert recipe.
She hopes to attend the University of Washington and major in Computer Science to gain the skills to use technology to bring positive change to the world!
Aakash Baheti
AREA 4 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE
Skyline High School
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AREA 4 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
AAKASH BAHETI
Aakash Baheti is a three-year DECA member and a Junior at Skyline High School. Aakash is so excited to serve as the 2021-2022 Area 4 President of Washington DECA.
DECA to some people is an ordinary extracurricular activity or an academic organization, but to Aakash, DECA is much more than just that. Ever since Aakash joined DECA as a freshman, his admiration for the organization increases daily. As a DECA member, Aakash enjoys participating in the organization’s competitive events like the Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research event in which he has placed in Area both years and placed 2nd at State to qualify for Internationals.
Outside of Academics, Aakash seeks to serve the Sammamish Community by voluntarily serving on leadership boards at his local YMCA. Interestingly, Aakash also has experience in aviation, flight and space. In fact, Aakash has even driven a Maule M7, a four-seater aircraft.
For example, DECA transforms its members by revealing their true potential and allowing them to become the best version of themselves. For Aakash, DECA allowed him to tap into his creativity and help him think outside the box in numerous real-life scenarios. Thus, after High School, Aakash seeks to apply the skills and experiences DECA gave him by pursuing a career in Business or STEM possibly at the University of California, Los Angeles. So that he can achieve his dream to fill others’ lives with fun and joy by opening his very own Amusement Park.
Britney Ibarra
AREA 5 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING
Enumclaw High School
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AREA 5 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING
BRITNEY IBARRA
Britney Ibarra attends Enumclaw High School, located in the small town of Enumclaw. Britney has been a member of DECA since her freshman year of high school and she is honored to serve as the 2021-2022 Washington DECA Area 5 President!
DECA has made her grow as a person and expand her professional speaking abilities. She is a two-time SCDC qualifier in the EIP and ‘Quick Serve Restaurant Management series’.
Although she still has time to decide what college she would like to go to, her heart is set for one of the Ivy Leagues, Dartmouth. She plans to Major in Architecture and minor in business, design, and/or engineering. Britney is also very involved in athletics as she participates in cheerleading, track, and gymnastics. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, baking, paddleboarding or longboarding, and hiking. Britney is super excited to work and interacts with the members of Washington DECA!
Anika Halappanavar
AREA 6 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF LEADERSHIP
Richland High School
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AREA 6 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF LEADERSHIP
Anika Halappanavar
Anika Halappanavar is a junior at Richland High School and is honored to be serving as the 2021-2022 Area 6 President. Have you ever leaped off a 200 feet building and experienced the most euphoric feeling of being alive? Yeah, neither has she, but being in DECA comes as a close second! Anika is a two-year DECA member and has won First Place in Area Competition and 4th place at WRLC 2020. Outside of DECA, she enjoys reading, dancing, biking, and spreading the DECA spirit!
Anika’s personal motto is to always spread kindness and show love to all human beings. She is an active member of her Hindu Youth Group and enjoys planning fun activities for weekly meetings. Her favorite color is all shades of green and her favorite drink is a mango yogurt smoothie. Anika’s favorite instrument is the guitar, and she has been playing it for the past six years. Her favorite animal is also the alpaca!
While she was born in Norfolk, Virginia, Anika has lived in beautiful evergreen Washington for the past twelve years. Anika is also a huge science enthusiast and participates in the Regional, State, and International Science Fair. She aspires to one day become a scientist herself and devote her life to research. For now, Anika strives to connect, empower, and lead you as a successful Area 6 President for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Danielle Poulin
AREA 7 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Puyallup Senior High School
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AREA 7 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Danielle Poulin
Your 2021-2022 Washington DECA Area 7 President, Danielle Poulin, is a senior at Puyallup Senior High School. Danielle has been in DECA for 3 years and is a 2x SCDC competitor and 1x ICDC attendee. Danielle is planning to go to college in New York for a degree in international business. Her career goals start with landing an executive assistant position to a CEO of a large company to gain experience before she works towards creating her own business.
As Danielle entered DECA, she realized a major passion of hers revolves around supporting small businesses in her community, whether working at the Puyallup Farmers Market, or giving shoutouts to her favorite businesses on social media, she strives to ensure that those around her are able to prosper and be lifted to the best of their ability.
Danielle has always been a leader and has a natural entrepreneurial spirit, which she has developed as a 9-year member of Girl Scouts. So, when you meet her, ask Danielle about her favorite Girl Scout cookie or the businesses she partnered with for cookie seasons! In her free time, Danielle loves going to Dutch Bros and trying the craziest Blue Rebel flavors you can imagine, so if you want the best flavor combos, don’t be shy to message her!
As a member of DECA, she realized her true potential for greatness and development. Being a part of an organization that is so massive, yet so personal, is an exhilarating experience. So, Danielle encourages all members to dive in deep, keep an open mind, and never take your opportunities for granted!
DHANUSH SUNCHU
AREA 8 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
Olympia High School
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AREA 8 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
DHANUSH SUNCHU
Dhanush Sunchu is excited to be serving as the 2021-2022 DECA Area 8 president. Dhanush is a rising senior at Olympia High School and is a proud two-year DECA member who has previously served as the Vice President of Competition at Olympia High DECA. He has qualified twice for State Conference placing in the top ten three times. He has competed in events including Innovation Plan, Automotive Marketing, and Professional Selling. Overall, Dhanush loves competitive events that surprise him and make him think quickly on his feet.
Outside of DECA, Dhanush is also the president of the Olympia High School Investment Club which allows him to explore his interest in investing. He also participates in various business and marketing internships for startups that challenge and allow him to grow his skill set. His hobbies include amazing people with magic tricks, cooking new foods, and playing a variety of sports. Dhanush currently plays for his school’s tennis team as a competitive doubles player.
In the future, Dhanush plans to pursue a career in either technology or finance while attending university. DECA helped aid his career path by providing him with opportunities to explore his interests. However, the future can change anytime! Dhanush believes that hard work beats talent at the end of the day, and anyone can challenge the impossible.
AKSHAYA SAKALA
AREA 9 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Camas High School
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AREA 9 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT
AKSHAYA SALAKA
Your 2021-2022 Washington DECA Area 9 president, Akshaya Sakala, is a rising junior at Camas High School and is excited to embark on the 3rd year of her Washington DECA journey. She credits DECA for giving her opportunities to develop soft skills and obtain first-hand knowledge that allows her to efficiently present herself and her ideas. Using these skills, Akshaya serves her chapter as the Camas DECA Vice President and has double qualified to ICDC. DECA has given Akshaya opportunities to grow her professional network and made countless memories with lifelong friends.
When she is not devoted to DECA, Akshaya commits herself to serving her community as a volunteer at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center as well as other non-profit organizations, President of the Camas Red Cross club, and by establishing her school’s HOSA chapter. She also enjoys baking new delicacies, playing the piano, and painting in her free time!
Although unsure of what career she’d like to pursue, Akshaya hopes to integrate her interests in her future and knows that DECA will help her develop key skills to pursue her passions. “Change your thoughts and you change your world” is one quote that Akshaya lives by and will keep in mind throughout her term. DECA members inspire her with their constant passion and commitment to bettering themselves and their community. Thus, Akshaya wants to make the best of her term as state officer to connect with, and continue to support, the leaders and changemakers of DECA.
KAYDEN DELVO
AREA 10 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF LEADERSHIP
Wenatchee High School
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AREA 10 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF LEADERSHIP
KAYDEN DELVO
Kayden Delvo, your 2021-2022 Washington DECA Area 10 President, is an incoming senior at Wenatchee High School and sophomore at Wenatchee Valley College. She was first exposed to DECA through volunteer events and joined her freshman year. In her junior year, Kayden served as her chapter’s VP of Community Service and Fundraising. She is excited to take her DECA experience to new heights as a part of Team Extreme!
Over the past three years, Kayden has competed in Food Marketing, Travel and Tourism, and Human Resources Management, placing first in each event at the Area 10 conference. She has attended SCDC three times and loves exploring Bellevue with her friends. Kayden is grateful to DECA for providing a place for her to compete while growing her skills and knowledge.
In addition to DECA, Kayden participates in Key Club, FBLA, Honor’s Society, and plays on the WHS basketball team. She loves to spend her time making pottery and watching good sitcoms. In addition, the beautiful environment surrounding her small city in NCW allows Kayden to enjoy lots of time outside. She plans to attend university and earn a degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science. Her ideal job would be to work for a non-profit organization focused on achieving effective environmental action.
Kayden looks forward to engaging with members from across the state and helping them to succeed! She believes that being a member of DECA provides a place to grow into a leader and learn more about the world.
AREA 11 PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF LEADERSHIP
CLARE DEYARMIN
Clare Deyarmin is honored to serve as the 2021-2022 Area 11 DECA President. Clare is a Senior at University High School in Spokane Valley, Washington.
As a three-year DECA member, Clare has served as the Chapter President of University High School DECA and has also been a state qualifier every year. In addition to DECA, Clare is a cheer captain, Associated Student Body class officer, and national honor society member.
Clare plans on attending Washington State University and will be working on attaining her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing. Clare’s ultimate goal is to use the marketing skills she gained in DECAand her nursing degree to open her own practice, specializing in beauty aesthetics. Clare is a proud member of DECA and cites that DECAhas given her the confidence, camaraderie, and inspiration for her future.