2014-2015 Chapter Officers
President
Joshua Haws
​"I joined DECA because the word entrepreneurship caught my eye. I knew I wanted to be my own boss some day and I thought maybe this club would help. I was in marketing freshman year so I saw and heard a lot about it but didn't join until sophomore year. I've gotten so much out of DECA, I feel like I can't even express it in words. The opportunities are endless.. The conferences and competitions are something so amazing you have to experience first-hand. After the first competition I knew I wanted to be a bigger part of DECA than just a member, so I was as active as a member as I could possibly be until the next year. And before I knew it, I was an officer."
-Josh Haws
Secretary
Maija Hollingbery
"When I joined DECA my freshman year I had no idea what kind of impact it would have on me. I didn't know exactly what I was getting myself into but I heard it could give me great opportunities and it has. I have met my very best friends and learned so much. This year I competed for the first time and it was one of the most scariest things I have done but I am sure glad I did it, and I am proud to say I am going to Nationals this year. Being in DECA has has helped me overcome so much, especially in public speaking and I've learned so much about marketing and different marketing strategies. I'm proud to say that I am a proud and DECAcated of the River Ridge DECA."
-Maija Hollingbery
Treasurer
Derrick Smith
"I joined DECA my freshman year. I joined DECA because I was in a marketing class and our teacher was telling us about the club and it sounded fun. DECA has taught me how to speak in front of people and I wanted to be an officer."
-Derrick Smith
Vice Presidents
Sam Bertram
Brett Gollehon
Emerald Smith
"I joined DECA because I enjoyed taking trips and experiencing new things, so DECA seemed like a good fit. I joined my Junior year. As a result, I feel more confident in my social skills and my ability to speak to anyone. I ran for Vice President so I could enhance my leadership skills."
-Sam Bertram
"I joined DECA my freshman year because I had Intro to Marketing 6th period and Mr. Brewer used to talk about DECA all the time. And it always seemed really interesting to be in. I was interested in joining a club but I didn't know which one but since Mr. Brewer used to advertise DECA so much, I decided to join. It seemed like it would be a lot of fun. I wanted to be an officer at the end of Sophomore year because I felt like I wanted to be more involved in the club than I was. Instead of being just a normal member."
-Brett Gollehon
"I joined DECA my freshman year because my older brother used to talk about it so much. DECA has had such a huge impact on my life. My freshman year, I was quiet and I barely had any friends. Because of DECA, I've been able to break out of my shell and am now able to make friends with just about anybody. I've participated in competition every year, and I'm only getting better. Doing competition has really helped me with my speaking skills. I use that to my advantage since I am now a DECA officer. If you told me my freshman year that Senior year I would be a DECA officer, speaking in front of our 50+ members, I wouldn't have believed you. Not only has DECA helped me with my people skills, but the knowledge I've gained is remarkable and I've already been able to use some of it as I prepare for college and a job. I wanted to be an officer because I wanted to become a better leader, and I wanted to share my experiences with new memebers. LET'S GET [DECA]CATED!!"
-Emerald Smith
