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Encouragement matters: A DECA journey shaped by friendship

Encouragement matters: A DECA journey shaped by friendship

by Shannon Dufresne
 

The energy at the DECA State Career Conference is unmistakable. More than 3,000 students fill the convention center, moving between competitions, campaign booths, and late-night study sessions. But for Ursuline juniors Nikoleta Shala '27 and Surriah Sheronick '27, the experience was defined by something more personal: friendship, trust, and the decision to try something new.

Neither student began her DECA journey with certainty. Both arrived hesitantly, unsure whether they belonged in a program often associated with confident, business-minded students.

"I was nervous about joining," Surriah said. "I thought I wasn't capable."

Nikoleta shared a similar perspective. "I thought every member already knew what they were doing," she said. "I didn't even know what DECA stood for."*

What changed was encouragement.

For Surriah, it came from Nikoleta, who urged her to attend a meeting and "give it a shot." For Nikoleta, it came from a close friend, Olivia Abel '27, who challenged her to step outside her comfort zone. That first step led both students to discover new strengths and a shared experience that would shape their year.

From the start, their friendship became a source of steady support. Whether preparing for role-play competitions or navigating the fast-paced conference environment, they relied on one another to stay grounded.

"My friendship with Nikoleta helped me grow through DECA by her constant encouragement," Surriah said. "She always believed in me."

That support was especially evident during one of the conference's most high-pressure moments: Nikoleta's campaign for state office. In front of more than 3,000 DECA members, she delivered a speech she had spent weeks preparing.

Just moments before, Surriah was by her side.

"She was so nervous," Surriah recalled. "I gave her a pep talk and told her I believed in her."

When the results did not go as hoped, their roles reversed. On the bus ride home, Nikoleta reflected on what she could have done differently. Surriah listened, then reframed the moment.

"She helped me understand the significance of just trying," Nikoleta said. "Win or lose, I did something most people wouldn't do."

That perspective, focusing on growth rather than outcome, became one of the most lasting takeaways from the conference.

The competition itself brought its own challenges. Both students described the nerves of presenting in front of judges and thinking on the spot. But they also pointed to unexpected moments of connection, including conversations with competitors and friendships formed across schools.

"You expect it to be all competition," Nikoleta said. "But it's actually a very supportive community."

For Surriah, one of the most memorable moments came after receiving her award. She ran off the stage and into Nikoleta's arms, met with a hug and the words she had heard all season: "I knew you could do it."

Beyond the awards and accolades, both students point to a deeper transformation.

Surriah discovered a new level of confidence in public speaking and learned to trust her instincts. Nikoleta found her voice, not only in competition but as a leader advocating for others.

"I learned that flipping 'I can't' to ‘I can’ makes a huge difference," Nikoleta said.

Together, their story reflects the broader impact of the DECA experience at Ursuline. What begins as a leap of faith often becomes something more: a space to grow, to lead, and to discover new possibilities.

Their advice to other students is simple.

"Give it a chance," Surriah said. Sometimes, all it takes is one friend, one meeting, or one moment of encouragement to change everything and to realize you belonged all along.

Looking ahead, the journey continues. DECA's International Career Development Conference will take place in Atlanta beginning April 25, where Surriah Sheronick '27 and teammate Elizabeth LaScala '26 will represent Ursuline alongside Karen Corripio '27, Emilia Plawiak '27, and Aishwarya Punnoose '27.

To learn more about business and finance offerings and other Distinctive Programs at Ursuline, click HERE. Read a related story HERE.


* DECA 
Distributive Education Clubs of America, commonly known as DECA, is a competitive business club that allows students to develop and apply important skills: reading for understanding, organized note-taking, creative brainstorming, and verbal presentation skills, across a wide variety of topics. 

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