This year, AHA has added many clubs and extracurricular activities, including the Business and Finance Club. Founded in September 2023, it has been very successful in its inaugural year. Club activities have included discussing financial advice and welcoming speakers to discuss topics such as taxing strategies and insurance. With the increasing membership, club president Ryan Larson ‘24 has considered leaping to convert this club into a DECA chapter.
DECA is a high school program that used to be called “The Distributive Education Clubs of America,” but now is called “An Association of Marketing Students.” This organization caters to school chapters that include students with interests in marketing and business. In high schools and colleges around the globe, DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA’s involvement can be a boost to students as it hosts member competitions and partners with known businesses to provide better resources for their members.
In an interview with current DECA students from a neighboring high school, they discussed the positive impact that DECA has. The individual said, “I have all around had a positive experience through DECA. I have gained several skills that will help me in the future. I have grown much better at public speaking and learned how to network with other kids my age with similar interests.” The DECA chapter helps individuals gain new knowledge and skills surrounding business and marketing; the overall experience has allowed for a better understanding of what the student wants to do in the future.
Larson’s idea to create the Business and Finance Club stemmed from a discussion about finance with AHA college counselor, Ms. Ann Kjorstad. Larson stated, “I realized that AHA has very limited finance and business opportunities;” therefore he initiated the creation for current and future student leaders. The club also benefits those who wish to learn how to be financially independent in the future. Larson said joining finance-centered clubs “is essential for purchasing houses and managing debt…. the difference between maximizing your finances and just letting your money sit in a bank is astronomical.” The club president then discussed the advantages of adding DECA to AHA, such as how it will allow for more networking opportunities for people interested in business, as well as teach important business principles. Larson plans on working with the administration at AHA to start DECA as a benefit for students who want to learn about and be involved in business and industry.
