At Dublin High School, students are fortunate to have many learning opportunities outside of academics through extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports.

Some of the groups focus on learning, as does the Distributive Educational Clubs of America, an organization that focuses on business and marketing. 

At its first meeting on Oct. 5,  co-presidents and seniors Mounica Maly and Dkilwayte Johnson explained what the club was all about.

 DECA is an association of marketing students who want to pursue marketing and business as a career path.

Maly and Johnson said that being in DECA will make students' resumes and college applications stand out because it is a prestigious program. But more important, according to the students, is that the club teaches crucial skills, such as how to survive in the business world by dressing and acting appropriately. 

Johnson said the four main skills DECA teaches are financing, hospitality, management and marketing. The club prepares students for business and marketing situations involving these four skills. 

DECA travels to marketing and sales competitions around the country to introduce students to the business world and give them hands-on experience. Students can travel  to competitions only if they are in a marketing class, club officer Joey Trinh said, but can join DECA regardless of the classes in which they're enrolled.

The club will march in the Homecoming Parade on Friday.  Last year, DECA advisor Lisa Pong said, the club was the first club to march in the parade alongside the Dublin High Irish Guard, class floats and Homecoming court nominees.

The club's next meeting will be Nov. 2.