#DECAATTPROJECT
YEAR IN REVIEW
2020-2021
TAKING THE #DECAATTPROJECT TO THE
#NEXTLEVEL
As the #DECAATTProject entered its seventh year, no one could have imagined the challenges the school year would present. Students who would typically be attending classes in person, had to adapt to following online curriculum and socializing through computer screens. Where some would see these challenges as impending obstacles, DECA members across the country sprang into action to really show us what it means to take DECA to the #NextLevel. Within the community, students banded together to advocate for social justice and created drive-up food events to serve those in need. Some students participated in virtual competitions for the first time and advanced to the international stage— breaking decades long hiatuses. Mentorship also reached #NextLevel heights as members embraced DECA’s guiding principle of “connecting to the real world” by collaborating with AT&T employees to reinvent website designs for business units and pitch marketing ideas to corporate executives. Utilizing the virtual space allowed students to connect with mentors all around the globe—from Huntington, WV to Mexico City, MX. As one student mentioned, “This year was different but being actively involved this year in DECA was one of my favorite memories. I learned and explored my strengths and weaknesses from competing. The hours of working and getting support from our teachers, staff, and AT&T were all worth it. This sentiment, along with others like it, allowed the #DECAATTProject to reach new members from all walks of life. In the year ahead, we are looking forward to students utilizing their newfound skills to Maximize Their Momentum.
3,435 STUDENTS SERVED
670 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN MENTORING EVENTS AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND/OR REGIONAL LEVEL
2,765
STUDENTS COMPRISED THE TRADITIONAL #DECAATTPROJECT, WHICH INCLUDED 33 SCHOOLS IN 19 STATES 2 | #DECAATTProject Year in Review
PROJECT PARTICIPANTS
A total of 3435 students were served throughout the year. Of these students, 670 participated in mentoring events at the local, state, and/or national level through DECA’s competitive events and virtual college and career workshops. In addition to participating in unique #DECAATTProject functions, students in this category also engaged with AT&T volunteers through dedicated Employee Groups (EGs) and business units as described throughout the report. In addition, 2765 students comprised the traditional #DECAATTProject, which included thirty-two schools in seventeen states. The demographics of the #DECAATTProject are described as follows:
53% 47% 78% 75%
FEMALE
MALE SELF-REPORTED MINORITY POPULATION RECEIVED FREE OR REDUCED MEALS
EACH INTERACTION MATTERS In collaboration with DECA partner, the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA), students in the #DECAATTProject completed surveys designed to determine the impact of the project on students’ college and career plans and their readiness for each. The results are included below:
91%
I’ve done several student mentoring events over the years and this is, by far, my absolute favorite one. The multi-month relationship and the accountability provided by DECA staff and the final presentation allowed for an impact that I haven’t seen in previous volunteer engagements. And these young adults! Wow! I kept trying to imagine myself doing a presentation as a teenager, much less to a bunch of adults and ‘business people.’ I don’t think that I could have done it! I still struggle with this now.” Tina Wright-Charchek, Lead Training Manager, Instructional Design AT&T University Operations
86%
Attained 21st Century Skills: collaboration, communication, creativity & critical thinking
Reported that DECA participation academically prepared them for college and a career
85%
83%
Felt empowered to become an effective leader
Helped to recognize the benefit and responsibility of community service
85%
92%
Connected school to the real world
94%
Learned how to communicate thoughts and ideas
86%
Gained skills in problem solving
Learned to work as part of a team
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UTILIZING THE DIGITAL SPACE
Through the collaboration with Nepris, #DECAATTProject students and AT&T mentors were able to connect like never before. Using the Zoom platform, students were provided a safe option to digitally connect with their mentors while following social distancing protocols and learning video presentation etiquette. A total of 151 sessions were recorded throughout the year, including cohort sessions, industry chats, and requested sessions.
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT AND SATISFACTION
Throughout the year, 386 AT&T mentors engaged with students at over 149 events nationwide. Not only did mentors participate in a variety of school events, host on-site workshops, and judge at DECA conferences, volunteers continued to connect with students by scheduling virtual mentoring sessions and brainstorming online engagement ideas with educators.
151 SESSIONS
#DECAATTProject
THE SCHOOLS
Thirty-three schools were selected to participate in the #DECAATTProject based on the following criteria: • •
•
A student population that matched the AT&T target audience Local DECA chapter advisor and school administration support of the program goals and responsibilities State DECA advisor support for program goals and responsibilities
Riverview Gardens High School, St. Louis, MO Gulfport High School, Gulfport, MS South Mecklenburg High School, Mecklenburg, NC
Wenonah High School, Birmingham, AL Elizabeth Learning Center, El Segundo, CA Woodrow Wilson High School, Los Angeles, CA Chino Hills High School, Orange County, CA Westview High School, San Diego, CA Overland High School, Aurora, CO Smoky Hill High School, Denver, CO Northglenn High School, Louisville, CO Lyman High School, Orlando, FL Langston Hughes High School, Fairburn, GA Marietta High School, Marietta, GA Borah High School, Boise, ID Streamwood High School, Chicago, IL Madison Park High School, Boston, MA Northeast High School, Kansas City, MO
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Edison High School, Edison, NJ Akron North High School, Akron, OH Cleveland Hts. High School, Cleveland, OH Abraham Lincoln High School (Lincoln), Philadelphia, PA R.B. Stall High School, North Charleston, SC Overton High School, Memphis, TN Creekview High School, Dallas, TX Townview School of Business and Management, Dallas, TX Woodrow Wilson High School, Dallas, TX WT White High School, Dallas, TX Bryan Adams High School, Dallas, TX North Garland High School, Garland, TX South Houston High School, Houston, TX Tyee High School, SeaTac, WA Poca High School, Poca , WV
#DECAATTPROJECT REVS UP THE VIRTUAL SPACE SIE PROJECT
With the country in the midst of the pandemic at the start of the school year, academic instruction and volunteerism were virtual. DECA staff, teachers and AT&T leaders reimagined the in-person mentoring plan. The result was a project-based virtual internship for students and mentors that was customizable for each location coined the Student Immersive Experience (SIE). Each group selected a realistic project or problem to solve over the course of the school year. A total of 12 high schools participated in the formal SIE project and each group selected a realistic project or problem to solve over the course of the school year. The groups met virtually between four and 10 times throughout the year with each session building upon soft skills and project management skills. At the final session, student groups presented their solution/ project to a panel of judges for review and evaluation. The outstanding student group in each school was selected and recognized for their outstanding work.
CONFERENCE CONNECTIONS AT&T VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP
Through the amazing minds on the Dallas Believe team, AT&T volunteers hosted and designed a two-hour, interactive, virtual field trip for DECA members to the Discovery District. Approximately 100 students and advisors attended in realtime and enjoyed a keynote address from an AT&T executive, a tour of the retail store, an inside look at remote and in-office work locations, and a panel Q&A with AT&T employees from all backgrounds. Questions ranged from topics including work-life balance to the best part about working at AT&T and why each participant chose this career.
NEW PROJECTS SOCIAL JUSTICE
Throughout this pivotal year, DECA members have accepted the challenge of being more socially aware within their communities. AT&T hosted the #ATT3DayChallenge, which encouraged students to use social media to spread the word and start the conversations with community members to understand issues and make a difference. This encouraged students to host virtual lunches with diverse peers and open up about social and racial justice.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
To better prepare students for college and career success, AT&T’s Technology Development Program hosted an experience where mentors and students from a school in Dallas met in groups to go over problem solving skills and attributes necessary for career success. Due to the closeness in age, employees acted as special mentors to the student groups and students were able to hear behind-the-scenes insight on college life, tips for first entering the career force, and academic success. These interactive sessions provided a safe space for students to work with each other and problem-solve real world scenarios and explore career paths.
HIGH TECHNOLOGY DAY
DECA was pleased to collaborate with employee group, Hacemos, for their first virtual High Technology Day. Nearly 100 DECA students nationwide participated in one or more of the live sessions led by AT&T employees and STEM professionals from diverse educational backgrounds. Students were exposed to careers in the STEM field, coding, the importance of college and career readiness skills, and demonstrations surrounding high tech innovations. Participating students were also provided an opportunity to receive college scholarship funding.
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#DECAATTPROJECT STUDENTS ON THE MOVE TYEE DECA
ON THE ROAD TO GLASS
“How can we do DECA in a virtual space?”—the constant question on everyone’s mind at the start of this unique year. Transitioning from in person meetings to Zoom sessions, virtual dances, and hybrid classes, this year had its fair share of challenges. Still, in the face of this memorable year, #DECAATTProject chapter, Tyee High School, managed to turn this year’s obstacles into opportunities to capture the true meaning of #NextLevel effort. Tyee DECA, under the direction of Alana Vinther, has been in the #DECAATTProject since its inception seven years ago. Mrs. Vinther has watched her students flourish from the mentoring project with AT&T mentors in the oxyGEN employee group. Students in the program met regularly with their community champions, were hosted at AT&T worksites, and introduced to college-career readiness skills. As summer 2020 began to roll in, we soon realized that the traditional method of mentoring would look different and we would need to rely on virtual mentoring. This challenge lit a fire under Tyee DECA as they set out to maximize the virtual space by combining mentoring and project management using the Nepris platform. AT&T mentors from across the globe met with DECA members throughout the school year to go over college and career readiness skills and support students on their path to International Career Development Conference (ICDC)! Using their own expertise, mentors provided feedback on virtual communication skills, presentation tips, and cheered the students along through every milestone. The students attribute a lot of their success to their community champion, Uloma, for introducing them to graphic design elements and analytic tips to boost their presentation. This support radiated into the school community, as parents, administration and volunteers shared in the students’ victories. With the support of their village, Tyee managed a Cinderella
year by overcoming a multitude of challenges to bring home top spots at state competition and DECA’s first ever Virtual ICDC! Both Tyee DECA teams qualified at the Washington DECA competition and represented Tyee High School DECA and Washington DECA at ICDC. They each competed in the Project Management Events, with the Community Giving Project team being a ICDC finalist and taking 2nd place overall. Mrs. Vinther shared how proud the school was of their accomplishments and were appreciative of AT&T’s involvement in preparing them. “This is Tyee’s first ICDC win in over 20 years! We thank Uloma (community champion) and the AT&T mentors for supporting our kids!” Not only will Tyee seniors be taking home their rightful accolades, but each is college bound! Lucia, Carter, and Daynara will be attending University of Washington, Gabbi will be attending Grossmont College, and Kendall will be attending Grand Canyon University (GCU). Malina is also planning on attending GCU after getting her associate degree at Highline Community College.
We look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the future!
CONGRATS, TYEE!
YESSICA’S STORY (THE FINAL SAGA)
Yessica Leon is entering her final semester at Elgin Community College and celebrating her two-year anniversary with AT&T. As a DECA student at Streamwood High School in 2019, she participated in the #DECAATTProject and was introduced to mentors at AT&T and visited an AT&T retail store. It was then that she became interested in employment with AT&T and pursued the opportunity. In addition to her coursework in business management at Elgin Community College, she has learned many lessons at work. She has mastered the art of active listening and practicing patience and discovered that these are keys to success. Listening improves relationships with customers and colleagues, and patience is required to achieve goals. These qualities and many more helped her achieve her sales goals and pursue some personal goals during the pandemic. Her current personal goals include earning her associate degree in business management, exceeding 100% of sales goals for at least six months, and buying a home. She is well on her way and should accomplish all before 2022! Yessica has a bright future ahead of her and credits AT&T for much of her success.
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THANK YOU!
Working with a dynamic group of mentors has been a life-changing experience for all DECA members across the country. Though not every token of appreciation could be shown, a few expressions and words of gratitude were captured throughout the year.
“I would like to thank AT&T very much for supporting our DECA chapter in planning ideas for the upcoming school year. We are definitely ready to leave our chapter better than we found it and we couldn’t have done this without our champion, Kristian. AT&T has made my DECA experience memorable beyond compare. I learned more in these few days and can’t wait for the future of this year with DECA. Time to maximize our momentum!” Emily, Student at Lyman High School, FL
“Working with the Xandr/AT&T volunteers was an extremely valuable experience during virtual instruction. A few things that worked well was that whenever we reached a stuck point in our research and investigation, our mentors would hint at us a potential solution and have us problem solve to discover a solution. Honestly, the only thing I might change is that maybe 1 more added meeting within the year.” Sahil, Student at Edison High School, NJ
“Being a part of DECA and Marketing at Tyee High School has truly changed my life for the better. Marketing not only allowed me to meet new people and make valuable connections within my community, but it also allowed me to gain more skills in professionalism, responsibility, and determination.” Gabriela, Student at Tyee High School, WA
“The 2020-2021 Covid school year was beyond any of our wildest dreams. Our AT & T mentors made the school year so special for our students involved in the mentorship program. It was a year of students being in a Zoom room without much contact with the outside world. It was wonderful that these mentors took these shy, quiet students and turned them into creative, confident business developers. They crafted their presentation skills and their ability to function successfully with business professionals virtually. The skills the students acquired during this experience will leave a huge footprint on them for the rest of their life.” Rebecca Palmer, DECA advisor at WT White HS, TX
“Our mentor helped us develop our ideas and shared their thoughts on the work we completed, and we had a good discussion about our work. After our discussion, our mentors began to give us some tips on communication. They shared ideas about being attentive in a virtual setting.” Trinity, Student at Westview High School, CA
“I truly want to thank all the mentors for all the support they have provided this year! We cannot function without partners. I can say things over and over to the students, but when they hear something from [the mentors] it really resonates with them. I thank you all for your time and all you do for the students!” Denise Magasich, DECA advisor at Lincoln High School, PA
FAST FORWARD TO
2021-2022 The project continues to grow and evolve as mentors provide engaging elements and experiences beyond the classroom for students across the country. This year, AT&T Community Engagement is tackling closing the digital divide and homework gap. With this new vision, DECA members are looking forward to working with AT&T volunteers through specialized mentoring programs that cater to student needs and help them #Maximize Their Momentum.
HYBRID PROGRAM
As many students will begin to reenter the classroom this fall, we will start to welcome mentors back to the in-person format to continue mentoring. While this will be a smooth transition to ensure all parties’ safety, we are looking forward to building upon the strength of the successful project model and expanding the scope of its elements in the virtual space. All current project models will include a hybrid component and the sphere of impact on DECA students will continue as new initiatives are welcomed.
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