You may remember when DECA used to sell cheap snacks during lunch. Buying food at the DECA store was extremely convenient for many students if you happened to have a negative lunch balance at the time and had no other way to get food. Or even if you wanted something different compared to an average school lunch.

However, due to new food regulations this year, the DECA store can no longer sell smoothies and other unhealthy snacks, according to Mrs. Taylor, who is the DECA sponsor. So the group has a new objective – creating a spirit shop.

The club now uses a vinyl cutter and heat press to make custom items for clubs, sports, or even leisure. Just in the first quarter, the club made 90 HOSA shirts, 40 DECA shirts, and many more custom items for students and staff. Groups looking for custom clothing can email Mrs. Taylor or come to the DECA store directly with their request. 

“I highly recommend DECA for your custom items,” Ms. Strathman said. “They did a phenomenal job with our HOSA shirts and the turnaround time for 90 shirts was amazing.”

Later on this year, the club will be looking into making and selling popsockets, phone cases, cups, and more. However, they will continue to produce clothing for all of Liberty’s needs throughout the year. 

“After we had to stop selling food, we realized we could start selling Liberty gear and all kinds of other stuff,” senior Konner Darrough said.

Now that you know all this, what is the actual club all about? DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America and their main goal is to improve educational and career opportunities in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship for students. 

DECA is also helping out with an upcoming 3-on-3 basketball tournament Dec. 8 from 3-6 p.m. DECA is working with Advanced Marketing 2 with the event and proceeds go to Mental Health America. 

The registration fee includes a free basketball tournament t-shirt and a 2 game minimum – with 1st and 2nd place winners in two different brackets. Click the link below to if you would like to register. https://forms.gle/XuU4yrfUvrHrqd5U6