Ontario
An Association of Business Students®
Olga Plagianakos
East York Collegiate Institute
650 Cosburn Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4C 2V2
Telephone
(416) 396-2355
Fax
(416) 396-2368
email: oplagianakos@hotmail.com
February 25, 2002
Dear Suzanne,
DECA is a business club that provides enrichment for students interested in a career in business-related
areas, or for a student who simply enjoys competitive activity. Students are challenged, right from the
start, to showcase their skills by competing in realistic business situations. They gain valuable
experience that can be applied to everyday situations both in their occupational field and in their daily
lives. A number of high school Toronto schools such as East York C.I., Agincourt C.I., Albert Campbell
C.I., Jarvis C.I., L’Amoreaux C.I., Marc Garneau C.I. and Earl Haig S.S. students have, in the past,
excelled at regional, provincial and international competitions and have received numerous awards and
scholarships.
DECA provides skills that will last a lifetime!! These skills help our students grow both academically
and socially. DECA is an international business club that develops potential leadership skills as well as
public speaking, communication and organizational skills. DECA helps to enhance a student's selfimage and develop greater confidence. DECA can help even the shyest person excel to his/her fullest
potential. In addition, DECA provides a forum for discussion and networking with students from a
number of different high schools.
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DECA is the only student organization operating in Canada's schools that attracts young people to careers
in business and marketing.
DECA is a teaching device through which the teacher or co-ordinator can enrich, enliven and enlarge the
Marketing and Business curriculum.
DECA encourages social intelligence through social and recreational activities, as well as enhance one's
responsibility to society.
DECA encourages free enterprise and economic awareness through individual instruction, marketing
projects, exposure to successful business leaders and practical experience in business establishments.
DECA provides each member an opportunity to participate in many activities designed to teach members
to be not only leaders but also followers.
DECA believes in competition and offers awards and recognition to student members and Advisors for
outstanding accomplishments.
With the support of the Toronto Board of Education, DECA will continue to develop future leaders for
marketing and management careers.
The number of students that were eligible to attend and compete at the International Career
Development Conference were determined on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 at the DECA-Ontario
Provincials, which was held at the Toronto Sheraton Centre. Last year, half the competitors
representing the T.D.S.B. at the International won and placed top 20! My personal goal this year is to
see as many as 30 Toronto District School students win and go on to the Internationals. No small feat to
say the least but, we are all ready for the challenge!!
I am proud to say that TDSB came home with:
8 first place trophies
4 second place trophies
6 third place trophies
5 fourth place trophies
and over 37 medals where students ranked top 10 in their category event.
I have spent the better part of my teaching career developing, fostering and nurturing DECA’s growth! I
whole-heartedly believe in the value of this club for our schools and our kids!
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call me at 396-2355 (ext. 263).
Sincerely,
Olga Plagianakos
East York C.I., Chapter Advisor
DECA-Ontario, Provincial Advisor
DECA TDSB Chapter Advisors:
Agincourt C.I., Albert Campbell C.I., Don Mills C.I., Earl Haig S.S., East York C.I., George S. Henry, L’Amoreaux
C.I., Marc Garneau C.I., North Toronto C.I., R.H. King Academy, SATEC At W.A. Porter C.I.