Because of DECA lives change every single year, including mine. For me? Beginning in 1993 I saw what DECA did for my students. How they were both inspired and motivated to compete. How the projects they did changed their lives and our community. Eventually, as a school counselor and serving as a DECA judge, I realized not all chapters had the chance to prepare as mine had; it was then I discovered an opportunity to solve a problem that I was passionate about. The passion is important because the