Edmond Santa Fe High School

Local Advisor: Christy Flanigan

Leadership Voice: Connector/Pioneer

Bio: As he strives to help DECA members find the same excitement that DECA gave him, Aarav often finds inspiration from his favorite DECA memory of winning first place in the Principles of Finance events his freshman year. His future career goals include stepping into corporations and helping them completely revolutionize their operations. In his free time Aarav enjoys listening to music and fundraising.

What is unique about Aarav? He recently was a contestant on his school’s version of the “Bachelor”

Duties: It shall be the duty of the President to preside over all Executive Council meetings; to make all necessary committee appointments, including the designation of each committee chairperson; develop a program of work for the term in office; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of DECA.

Contact: aarav.jilka@gmail.com

Edmond Santa Fe High School
Local Advisor: Christy Flanigan

Leadership Voice:  Pioneer/Creative

Bio:  This leader from Edmond Santa Fe High School aims to make Oklahoma DECA a safe space for every member. She wants all members to find their home in DECA. Raven’s future career goals are fueled by her passion for equity, justice, and politics. Raven recalls her favorite DECA memory when she roomed with 5 other girls at CDC  and the friendships that were made.

What is unique about Raven? She organized a virtual voter registration guide.

Duties: It shall be the duty of the elected Vice President of Leadership to practice the “Emerging Leaders” element of the DECA Mission, including all non-competitive event career and leadership activities; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of DECA.

Contact: ravenowensss@gmail.com

Norman North High School
Local Advisor: Jamie Wilson

Leadership Voice:  Guardian/Connector

Bio:  Natalie’s favorite DECA memories involve one of her chapter’s service activities, Spooktacular, and attending DECA Power Trips. With a goal to encourage each member to take advantage of every opportunity in DECA, Natalie is often finding ways to keep members engaged in the organization. Natalie’s future career goals include being an engineer and author.

What is unique about Natalie? She loves going to concerts, murder mysteries, and she used to own a snake.

Duties: It shall be the duty of the elected Vice President of Career Development to practice the “Careers” element of the DECA Mission, including chapter participation preparation and performance in Competitive Events; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of DECA.

Contact: nepennell@gmail.com

Mustang High School
Local Advisor: Carrie Miller

Leadership Voice:  Creative/Connector

Bio:  Saniya often recalls her favorite DECA memory of the hilarious conversations she had with her chapter after she competed at state in her role play competition. Her love for DECA has inspired her to help grow the Oklahoma DECA membership all across the state. Saniya’s future career goals include pursuing something law related so that she can be a voice for those don’t have one.

What is unique about Saniya? She has a bunny named Mollie.

Duties: It shall be the duty of the elected Vice President of Marketing to practice the “Marketing” element of the DECA Mission, including initial member recruitment, branding and promotions; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of DECA.

Contact: saniyaaaa18@gmail.com

Francis Tuttle Technology Center – Danforth Campus

Local Advisor: Abby Williams

Leadership Voice:  Connector 

Bio:  With a goal to make all Oklahoma DECA members feel important and an integral part of the organization, Ava also hopes to get more students involved with a CTSO. Her favorite DECA memory was learning about what goes on behind the scenes at the Bricktown Ball Park at DECA Dodger’s Day. In her free time Ava enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, traveling, and doing graphic design work. Her future career goals include being a real estate investor, an entrepreneur, and running a successful business.

What is unique about Ava? She owns and operates a vending machine business.

Duties: It shall be the duty of the elected Vice President of Finance to practice the “Finance” element of the DECA Mission. Responsible for chapter budgeting, accounting and fund development efforts.

It shall be the duty of the elected Vice President of Hospitality to put into practice the “Hospitality” element of the DECA Mission. Responsible for connecting members to a welcome, value-filled, fun educational experience.

Contact: avabeery1@gmail.com

University of Oklahoma | Oklahoma DECA Independent Chapter

Local Advisor: Paxton Cavin

Leadership Voice:  Nurturer/Connector 

Bio: With a goal to build the Oklahoma Collegiate DECA membership, this leader attending University of Oklahoma hopes to one day work in a corporate marketing job before she starts her own business. Maryam’s favorite DECA memory was getting to compete in person for the first time in 2022 – meeting new people and bonding with friends was much better than being virtual.

What is unique about Maryam? She was born on her mom’s birthday.

Duties: It shall be the duty of the President to preside over all Executive Council meetings; to make all necessary committee appointments, including the designation of each committee chairperson; develop a program of work for the term in office; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of DECA.

Contact: maryamhaleem1@gmail.com

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Local Advisor: Christy Flanigan

Leadership Voice: Connector/Pioneer

Bio: As he strives to help DECA members find the same excitement that DECA gave him, Aarav often finds inspiration from his favorite DECA memory of winning first place in the Principles of Finance events his freshman year. His future career goals include stepping into corporations and helping them completely revolutionize their operations. In his free time Aarav enjoys listening to music and fundraising.

What is unique about Aarav? He recently was a contestant on his school’s version of the “Bachelor”

Duties: It shall be the duty of the President to preside over all Executive Council meetings; to make all necessary committee appointments, including the designation of each committee chairperson; develop a program of work for the term in office; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of DECA.

Contact: aarav.jilka@gmail.com

Prior to first being elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2016 and re-elected for a second term in 2018, Representative Rhonda Baker was a middle school English teacher who had spent nearly two decades in the profession at the middle school, high school, and collegiate level. In addition, she and her husband, Les, also an educator, are owners of a successful small irrigation business.

As a member of the House, she has developed a reputation as a strong and articulate advocate on education issues, serving as the chair of the House Common Education Committee and as a member of the House
Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education. She has been appointed as a member of Judiciary committee and the full Appropriations and Budget committee.

Representative Baker was recently presented with the Rising Star Award by the State Chamber of Commerce for her role as a legislative leader in the business community. She was one of 11 select legislators chosen from a pool of legislative applicants within the Southern region to attend the Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS). Additionally, she was one of two legislators chosen as an Early Learning Fellows from NCSL and considers it one of her greatest honors to have been appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission of the Status of Women.

Representative Baker is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a master’s degree in Education. She and her husband have three children.

House of Representatives, 56th Legislature to present

Katrina McDowell is the instructor of HPTC’s Marketing/Management program and the advisor of DECA at High Plains Technology Center.

She assisted the Oklahoma DECA with State Advisory Council this year, and from 2018-2021 she was the MBA Teachers Advisory Network representative and presented for the national conferences.

She worked alongside her HPTC DECA Chapter to earn the School-Based Enterprise Gold Certification Award. In addition to her helping DECA as much as she can, she is also very active in other CTSO organizations. She volunteers to judge for Oklahoma BPA and also helps the other CTSOs with many student work opportunities, service activities, fundraising.

Jay P. Jirous is a 1979 graduate of John Marshall High School.  While in High School Jay was very involved with DECA as President his Senior year which ultimately led him to his lifelong career of owning, operating and working with Sonic Drive-In in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.  Currently, Jay is a Director and/or corporate officer for over a dozen companies in Oklahoma and Texas, including his role as a Director of the MD and Barbara Jirous Foundation.  The MD and Barbara Jirous Foundation has been active in philanthropy across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and New Mexico for decades and has provided countless scholarship opportunities for students across those states.

Website: https://www.sonicdrivein.com/

Oklahoma DECA would like to thank Mr. Jirous and the MD and Barbara Jirous Foundation for being a SILVER Sponsor of Oklahoma DECA.

To learn more about sponsorship and partner opportunities with Oklahoma DECA please visit our sponsor page. 

DECA Chapter:  Edmond Memorial High School (retired 2021)

Over 30 years of service to Oklahoma DECA. Kim has been instrumental in helping the organization continue to be successful by providing advice and her time to help in any way needed. She has always had large DECA chapters at Edmond Memorial and they have always been very involved and successful at State CDC. She has focused on community service with her chapter every year. 

From Kim’s Nominators:

It is a great pleasure to write this letter of support for Kim Walters. There is no doubt that she is most deserving of this award. Kim has given so many years to DECA and has been a strong leader in the organization. She has always been one that other advisors turn to for help and advice. The dedication she has shown to her students is second to none and so many of them have many amazing stories to share about all that they have learned from her. Kim has spent countless hours preparing in order to provide the best for her students. All of her students would say that not only does she help them learn marketing and management concepts, but she helps prepare them for life. They have lovingly called her “Walt” for years, and this just goes to show the relationship she has developed with her students over the years. In the classroom and through DECA, Kim provides many opportunities for her students to be successful and to learn how to take what they have learned into the real world. The Edmond Memorial DECA chapter is always very successful at Oklahoma State CDC every year. This is not solely because her students work to do their best in competition – it is also because of how she encourages and pushes them to be their best. It truly is a bit difficult to summarize all she has done to make an impact on all of those around her. Her impact is hard to quantify and the successes that have come from her efforts are immeasurable.

Through DECA, she has not only made an impact on her students but also their parents. Many of them have traveled alongside her to the Annual Edmond Memorial DECA New York Trip. She has been known to take around 80 students and parents at a time! She has even become a resource for National DECA when they plan their trips. She has mentored many other advisors that have desired to travel with students and has given so many helpful tips.

Kim and her DECA Chapters have always put their community first. Each year they also reach out to another community to spread joy through their Halloween Carnival. It is a free event for students in a lower socioeconomic area. She is not only helping those in need but she is teaching her students to do so as well.

As her fellow colleagues, we would like to nominate Kim Walters of Edmond Memorial High School, for the IMPACT Award. Oklahoma DECA will truly miss her as she retires this year and we feel this is a great opportunity for us all to recognize her achievements.

Katrina McDowell is the instructor of HPTC’s Marketing/Management program and the advisor of DECA at High Plains Technology Center.

She assisted the Oklahoma DECA with State Advisory Council this year, and from 2018-2021 she was the MBA Teachers Advisory Network representative and presented for the national conferences.

She worked alongside her HPTC DECA Chapter to earn the School-Based Enterprise Gold Certification Award. In addition to her helping DECA as much as she can, she is also very active in other CTSO organizations. She volunteers to judge for Oklahoma BPA and also helps the other CTSOs with many student work opportunities, service activities, fundraising.

DECA Chapter:  Edmond Memorial High School (retired 2021)

Over 30 years of service to Oklahoma DECA. Kim has been instrumental in helping the organization continue to be successful by providing advice and her time to help in any way needed. She has always had large DECA chapters at Edmond Memorial and they have always been very involved and successful at State CDC. She has focused on community service with her chapter every year. 

From Kim’s Nominators:

It is a great pleasure to write this letter of support for Kim Walters. There is no doubt that she is most deserving of this award. Kim has given so many years to DECA and has been a strong leader in the organization. She has always been one that other advisors turn to for help and advice. The dedication she has shown to her students is second to none and so many of them have many amazing stories to share about all that they have learned from her. Kim has spent countless hours preparing in order to provide the best for her students. All of her students would say that not only does she help them learn marketing and management concepts, but she helps prepare them for life. They have lovingly called her “Walt” for years, and this just goes to show the relationship she has developed with her students over the years. In the classroom and through DECA, Kim provides many opportunities for her students to be successful and to learn how to take what they have learned into the real world. The Edmond Memorial DECA chapter is always very successful at Oklahoma State CDC every year. This is not solely because her students work to do their best in competition – it is also because of how she encourages and pushes them to be their best. It truly is a bit difficult to summarize all she has done to make an impact on all of those around her. Her impact is hard to quantify and the successes that have come from her efforts are immeasurable.

Through DECA, she has not only made an impact on her students but also their parents. Many of them have traveled alongside her to the Annual Edmond Memorial DECA New York Trip. She has been known to take around 80 students and parents at a time! She has even become a resource for National DECA when they plan their trips. She has mentored many other advisors that have desired to travel with students and has given so many helpful tips.

Kim and her DECA Chapters have always put their community first. Each year they also reach out to another community to spread joy through their Halloween Carnival. It is a free event for students in a lower socioeconomic area. She is not only helping those in need but she is teaching her students to do so as well.

As her fellow colleagues, we would like to nominate Kim Walters of Edmond Memorial High School, for the IMPACT Award. Oklahoma DECA will truly miss her as she retires this year and we feel this is a great opportunity for us all to recognize her achievements.

Established in 2006, factor 110 is the​ region’s leader in event and destination management. ​factor 110 | Destination Oklahoma remains the first and only destination management company in Oklahoma while 110 events provides the finest inventory in event rentals.​

Website:  www.factor110.com

Oklahoma DECA would like to thank Factor 110 for supporting Oklahoma DECA.

To learn more about sponsorship and partner opportunities with Oklahoma DECA please visit our sponsor page. 

Jay P. Jirous is a 1979 graduate of John Marshall High School.  While in High School Jay was very involved with DECA as President his Senior year which ultimately led him to his lifelong career of owning, operating and working with Sonic Drive-In in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.  Currently, Jay is a Director and/or corporate officer for over a dozen companies in Oklahoma and Texas, including his role as a Director of the MD and Barbara Jirous Foundation.  The MD and Barbara Jirous Foundation has been active in philanthropy across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and New Mexico for decades and has provided countless scholarship opportunities for students across those states.

Website: https://www.sonicdrivein.com/

Oklahoma DECA would like to thank Mr. Jirous and the MD and Barbara Jirous Foundation for being a SILVER Sponsor of Oklahoma DECA.

To learn more about sponsorship and partner opportunities with Oklahoma DECA please visit our sponsor page. 

Paxton Cavin serves as the Oklahoma DECA Chartered Association Advisor. Since beginning this position in May 2019, Paxton has made it her mission to serve the members, advisors, volunteers, and partners of Oklahoma DECA with purpose and intention.

For questions or more information regarding Oklahoma DECA please contact Paxton Cavin at paxton.cavin@careertech.ok.gov or by phone at (405) 743-5473.