This document provides information about upcoming DECA events and opportunities for Central Region members. It includes: - Encouragement to keep the "Aspire Higher" theme in mind and continuously improve. - Details about the exciting Central Region Leadership Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, including keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and leadership activities like an "Amazing Race" style event at the zoo. - A spotlight on Maddie Mayleben, the Michigan DECA State Secretary, who is involved in business ownership, world travel, running and more. - An announcement of the DECA-FIDM Challenge, which asks students to create a garment from recycled materials and develop a

1. Central Region
DECA
A Word from Your CRVP
Volume 1, Issue 2
October, 2011
As you begin strengthen our en- Special Points of Inter-
to attend confer- tire association. est:
ences and think Please do
 This year’s CRLC is one
“wild” conference that
about competition, I not hesitate to con- you do not want to miss.
encourage you to tact me at any time. Conference coordinator
keep the “Aspire If you wish to get in
Nicole Coffey gives you
some great insight to this
Higher” theme in touch with me, send “wild” conference on Page
mind. Use this an email to decavp- 2.
theme as your micah@gmail.com.  Thanks to DECA’s part-
motto for this year nerships with FIDM and
in DECA; continu- Finish Line, members
October has ally strive to be bet- DECA Wishes, have the opportunity to
always been one of participate in some excit-
ter than you ever ing challenges.
my favorite months. have been.
The weather is  National President Claire
As I serve Coker discusses the im-
crisp and cool. The
you this year, I portance of believing in
NFL is in full- the power of DECA.
promise I will too Micah Melling
swing. And, of
“Aspire Higher.” Central Region VP
course, DECA is
My goal is to serve
beginning to kick Inside The Issue:
you to the best of
into high-gear.
my abilities and CRLC—Get “Wild” 2
DECA is Going to The Big Apple State Officer Spot-
light
2
Have you ever The first con- careers fields in one
wanted to experience ference will be Nov. of the world’s largest DECA-FIDM Chal- 3
lenge
the Big Apple? Well, 30—Dec. 4. The sec- cities.
DECA is giving you ond conference will be Registration DECA-Finish Line 3
the opportunity to Dec. 7—11. ends on October Challenge
fulfill your dream. The New York 3rd. Slots are only A Letter from the 4
DECA will Experience will give available for the sec- National President
once again be hosting attendees the unprece- ond conference, which
two New York Experi- dented opportunity to is Dec. 7—11. Facebook: Where 4
Does your State
ence Conferences. learn about exciting Rank?

2. Page 2 Central Region DECA
CRLC: Be There. Be Wild and global companies head- The leadership training will
quartered in Omaha, a WILD really encourage members to
dance party, a live music and step outside their comfort
entertainment night spon- zones as leaders, work on a
sored by Finish Line, AND our team, and develop those per-
signature event -- the Leader- sonal and communication
ship Safari at the Zoo! The na- skills that will give them the
tion's #2 ranked zoo will be confidence and tools needed to
the home of Amazing Race be successful in the future.
meets Survivor meets DECA!
Members won't want to miss What makes this confer-
Micah Melling’s interview it! ence different than other
with Nicole Coffey, CRLC DECA conferences?
Conference Coordinator: How will conference activi- This conference is different in
Why should students at- ties positively affect stu- its delivery - we're on a mis-
tend this year's CRLC? dents? sion to make sure that DECA
This year’s Central Region This conference is tradition- members become inspired by
Leadership Conference is go- ally one of the best confer- what they experience and are
ing to be WILD! Nebraska is ences a DECA member can
ready to Aspire Higher, to be-
excited to host the conference attend all year, and this year
come leaders in their commu-
and share with our fellow is no exception. The network-
ing opportunities are incredi- nities and passionate about
members how great a city
Omaha is! We've put together ble, not only to meet other their chosen career paths. By
a great conference loaded with members but to meet and attending CRLC in Omaha,
activity: outstanding keynote learn from business profes- we know members will leave
speakers, the best business sionals in career areas in the conference better equipped
professionals from national which members have interest. for their future.
The State Officer Spotlight is on Maddie Mayleben
Business owner. World involved in can give you direction
traveler. Avid runner. These DECA, Maddie is towards a career,”
are all terms that describe the co-owner of says Maddie.
Maddie Mayleben, Michigan “Dipped,” a Also, two sum-
DECA’s State Secretary. snack shop that mers ago, Maddie
Maddie has been in- sells delicious, had the opportunity
volved with DECA for two dipped treats. to live in China for
years and has enjoyed every Maddie is also an six weeks with a Chi-
minute of the experience. accomplished nese family.
runner, compet-
“I remember sitting in ing in both track “It was such a hum-
the audience when they an- and cross coun- bling experience that
nounced who the new State try for her high school since taught me to never
Officers were,” says Maddie. her freshman year. take anything for granted,”
“When I heard my name, I says Maddie.
didn’t know how to react. I “Being involved in dif-
ferent activities is important And we shouldn’t take
felt so honored to be chosen.” Maddie’s dedication to DECA
because it helps you to learn
In addition to being what your interests are and for granted.

3. Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 3
Do You Like Fashion? If You Do, This is a “Must Read”
Do you have what it an exciting challenge. Those participating
takes to develop a line of Participants in the will present their ideas to
clothing? Now, do you DECA-FIDM Challenge FIDM executives through
have what it takes to mar- are asked to create a run- videos posted on YouTube.
ket your line of clothing? way-worthy garment out So, do you think you
If you are up to the task, of previously used fabric. have what it takes? If you
The Fashion Institute of (The cost of the materials do, go to the following link
Design and Merchandis- cannot exceed $20). to get more information:
ing (FIDM) wants to hear http://www.deca.org/
Participants are
from you. events/fidmchallenge/.
also asked to develop a
DECA has once marketing campaign for Please note that
again partnered with their newly developed this challenge ends of
FIDM to bring members product. February 10.
Crossing the Finish Line: An Exciting Challenge
Picture this: You’ve and recommendation for
been flown to one of the improvement to Finish
largest cities in the Line executives via vid-
United States to meet eos uploaded to You-
with the executives of one Tube.
of the biggest companies The top three teams
in the world. These ex- will be flown to Indian-
ecutives are hanging on This scenario could apolis, Indiana to present
your every word, eager to become a reality, thanks to their findings to Finish
hear what you have to say. DECA and Finish Line. Line executives. The win-
After your presentation, the The DECA-Finish ning team will receive a sti-
executives congratulate you Line Challenge is returning pend to cover all expenses
on your hard work. In fact, once again. In this chal- to DECA’s International
they liked your presenta- lenge, DECA members, in Career Development Con-
tion so much that they are teams of 1-3 people, will ference in Salt Lake City.
going to pay for you to at- conduct market research at
tend a conference in one of To find out more
their local Finish Line about this opportunity, visit
the most exciting cities in store.
the U.S. http://www.deca.org/events/
After the research finishlinechallenge/.
Pretty good deal, isn’t has been completed, teams
it? The deadline for this
will present their findings challenge is December 19.

4. A Letter from Your National President
his life to bringing tive thinkers who have
awareness about mus- the capability of chang-
cular dystrophy in ing the world. Never
hopes of finding a cure. forget that what you do
I also was able to hear in DECA is just as im-
from some of the lead- portant as what these
ing minds in education great leaders have done
at the NBC Education with their efforts.
Nation Summit, such as To make your
Melinda Gates and Bill DECA year a success:
Clinton. What all these believe in what DECA
leaders have in common can do for students,
Central Region DECA, is that they have dedi- spread the word, stay
cated their time and ef- motivated, and always
This past month, I forts into something ASPIRE HIGHER.
have been lucky enough they believe can make a
to meet some of the difference. Best Wishes,
most inspiring people As DECA mem-
from across the nation. bers, we should dedi- Claire Coker
I met Luke Christie, an cate our time to spread- National DECA Presi-
MDA ambassador and ing awareness of what dent
collegiate DECA mem- DECA can do for stu-
ber, who has dedicated dents. We are innova-
Facebook “Likes”: Where Does Your State Rank?
1. MI: 3,682 8. SD: 404
2. WI: 1,476 9. MO: 394
3. MN 1,199
10. IA: 315
4. IN: 793
11. ND: 297
5. IL: 776
6. NE: 614 12. KY 250
7. KS: 437 13. OH: 186