Ware County High School DECA

DECA officers took some time from summer break to attend the Waycross Convention & Visitors Bureau meeting last week located at City Hall in Downtown Waycross.
Sloan Z., Reagan L., Isabella S., & Karlee C. (not pictured) were able to sit and listen to .cvb.tourism Board of Directors discuss important upcoming tourism dates in Waycross. Attending the meeting allowed officers to gain insight into what our tourism board prepares for, as well as, work on ways to show support within our community. Connecting and Communicating with our school and local community are ways Ware Co. DECA can strive to help make an impact and be the

⭐ Senior Officer Spotlight: Cash Carter

We are excited to recognize another incredible senior officer who has made a lasting impact on our chapter, Cash Carter. Through leadership, dedication, and his passion for DECA, Cash has helped shape our organization into what it is today.

🌀 Since joining DECA during his sophomore year, Cash has built three strong years of experience, including serving the past two years as Chapter President. Throughout his journey, some of his favorite memories have come from the travel opportunities, competitions, conferences, and the friendships made along the way. Cash shares, “From competing alongside friends to connecting with members across the state, DECA has provided me an experience of a lifetime and relationships that will last far beyond high school.”

🗣️ Cash’s advice to underclassmen is to take every opportunity possible and says the more effort you put into DECA, the more rewarding the experience becomes. Cash shares, “Whether you are stepping outside of your comfort zone to compete, or pursuing leadership roles, I encourage you all to embrace every moment because time truly goes by faster than you think.”

🔹 What Cash will miss most about DECA is the energy and sense of community that came with it all. The excitement of preparing for meetings and events, the chaos and memories made while traveling together, and the moments where the sense of community he helped build truly came to life. Cash shares, “DECA was never just about getting things done; it was about the unforgettable experiences I got to share with friends and members along the way.”

After graduation, Cash will attend the University of Georgia and major in Business Administration with a minor in Real Estate. Go Dawgs! 🐶

Thank you, Cash, for your leadership, commitment, and the positive impact you have left on our chapter. While it is bittersweet to see such an important part of our DECA family graduate, we know there are incredible things ahead for you. We have no doubt that you will continue to make us proud, keep being a light! 💙

⭐ Senior Officer Spotlight: JV Manabat

We are excited to spotlight another outstanding senior officer, JV Manabat. Through his energy, leadership, and passion for helping others, JV has helped create an environment where members could grow, connect, and truly enjoy their DECA experience.

🔹Throughout his time in DECA, JV made it his mission to ensure that everyone felt included. Whether it was through leadership, conversations with new members, or simply bringing positive energy into every room, he helped create a culture where people could thrive together while still having fun along the way. More than anything, JV hopes people remember the sense of community he worked to build and the energy he brought to every experience.

👥 One of the biggest lessons DECA taught JV was the importance of cherishing every moment and being fully present with the people around you. Looking back on conferences, late-night memories, and time spent with friends like Olivia Ray, he realized how quickly life can change and how meaningful those moments truly become over time. It is a perspective he will continue carrying with him long after graduation, valuing people deeply, appreciating the present, and never taking memories for granted.

After graduation, JV plans to attend Vanderbilt University where he will major in Medicine, Health, & Society with a minor in Chemistry. Anchor Down! ⚓️

Thank you, JV, for the positivity, leadership, and memorable moments you have brought to our DECA chapter over the past four years. Your presence has left a lasting impact on the people around you, and DECA will not be the same without you. Although it is difficult to say goodbye, we are so excited to see all the incredible things ahead for you. Wishing you incredible success, in this next chapter of your life. 💙
 

⭐ Senior Officer Spotlight: Cayden Smith

As the school year comes to a close, we are excited to spotlight our incredible senior officers over the next few days. Today, we are spotlighting Cayden and celebrating the memories, leadership, and excitement that she has brought to DECA over the past three years.

🔹Throughout her time in DECA, Cayden has created countless memories, but one of her favorites was attending State CDC her junior year. What made the trip most meaningful was experiencing it alongside Olivia. From singing karaoke in the hotel room to visiting the Build-A-Bear Workshop and making “Paloma the capybara,” Cayden says that weekend will always stand out because of how much closer it brought the two of them together.

🗣️ Cayden also credits DECA for helping her discover her career path. Before joining the organization, she never felt fully connected to one specific career and considered paths like teaching and dentistry. However, once she entered the marketing pathway, everything changed. Through experiences in marketing classes, social media projects, and working in the school store, she realized that her true passion was in business and marketing.

👒 One thing Cayden hopes people remember about her is her belief in “dressing to impress.” She believes that when you wear an outfit that stands out, you naturally feel more confident, prepared, and memorable. In the world of business and marketing, first impressions matter, and Cayden has always embraced the importance of presenting herself with confidence, style, and professionalism.

After graduation, Cayden plans to attend Georgia Southern University where she will major in Business with a minor in Marketing. Go Eagles! 🦅

Thank you, Cayden, for the positivity, creativity, and dedication you have brought to our DECA chapter. We wish you nothing but success, happiness, and exciting opportunities in this next chapter of life. Always remember… Once a DECA member, always a DECA member! 💙

Mr. & Miss Echo are seniors chosen by the faculty and staff of Ware County High School. These students represent what it means to be a true Ware County Gator. They are Wise, Accountable, Respectful, and Engaged, and we’re proud to say Cash and Cayden truly live up to these values. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! 💚💛

Ware Co DECA appreciates our amazing teachers! 🔷🍎✏️
This past week, we baked cookies and prepared keychain gift bags to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. We are so thankful for everything our teachers do for our students every day in and out of the classroom!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the Wildfire Donation Drive! 🔷
We are so thankful for every donation and act of kindness shown throughout this effort. Thank you for helping support those who have lost their homes and so much more during this difficult time. We are so proud to see our community come together to make a difference.

From our chapter to our community 💙

We are collecting donations to support families affected by the recent wildfires, and every item makes a difference. Let’s show up and give back in a big way.

Donations accepted through April 30
Drop off in Room 1125

Give back. Show up. Stand together.

Best way to close out the year 💙

Huge congratulations to all of our member and officer superlative winners and everyone who earned awards — this chapter truly showed out this year, and we’re so proud of everything!

A big congratulations to our new officer team, you all are going to take this chapter to the next level and we can’t wait to see it.

We will miss our senior officers and members so much — thank you for serving our chapter and leaving such a lasting impact.

Thank you to Zels for catering and making the night even better. From the memories to the milestones, this EOTY was one for the books. 💙

We are excited to invite YOU to our End of the Year Celebration on April 15th during 4th block! All current members are welcome to attend. To RSVP, please complete the Google Form.

This event will serve as our end-of-year banquet, featuring member and officer awards, superlatives, a photo wall, refreshments, the introduction of our 2026–2027 officer team, and a chance to celebrate an amazing year together.

Please make sure to complete the form BY Friday, April 3rd at 3:00 PM.
•
•
•