The Northwest Knights Spirit Shop, a school-based enterprise at Butler Tech/Northwest High School, has earned the prestigious Gold-Level Certification. This honor, received by only 851 enterprises globally for the 2024-2025 school year, underscores the exemplary integration of academic theory and career technical education, facilitated through DECA’s comprehensive learning model.
Guided by DECA advisor Tracy Turney-Smith, students Lily McFarland, Kevin Bolanos Gonzalez, and Cody Harmon have not only managed the Spirit Shop but have also navigated significant challenges, including coming back from displacement from their original shop space during the pandemic. This led to the adoption of a mobile sales cart, ensuring the shop’s continuous operation, and the day-to-day operation highlights the real-world skills in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management that the DECA program instills.
The students shared insights into how their involvement in DECA and the Spirit Shop has shaped their personal and professional growth. Lily, a pioneer in the shop’s revival post-COVID, said, “Being thrust into this role really brought out leadership qualities I never knew I had.” Her journey from a shy freshman to a confident senior underscores the transformative power of the Butler Tech experience.
Kevin, who serves as a DECA state officer, detailed how DECA’s experiential learning environment spurred his interest in business, leading to his venture into entrepreneurship and a social media internship. “DECA isn’t just about business. It’s about finding your voice, learning to network, and building confidence,” he said, reflecting on his growth from a hesitant speaker to a public advocate for his peers.
Cody, involved in financial analysis for the shop, appreciated the practical application of classroom lessons to real-life business scenarios. “The skills I’ve learned here are directly applicable to my future career in physics,” he explained, highlighting the cross-disciplinary benefits of DECA’s programs.
The trio unanimously praised their advisor, Tracy Turney-Smith, for her mentorship and belief in their potential. “She pushed us beyond our comfort zones, which is so important for our growth. She’s more than a teacher; she’s our guide through this journey,” said Lily. This sentiment was echoed by her peers, who credited Ms. Turney-Smith’s encouragement and support as pivotal to their achievements. “I call her Mamma Turney,” shared Kevin, “she’s basically like a second mom.”
As these young leaders look toward future endeavors in fields as diverse as pediatric medicine, automotive engineering, and physics, they carry invaluable lessons from their DECA involvement. They each hope to utilize their experiences in leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork in their respective careers, illustrating DECA’s role in shaping versatile and resilient professionals.
The achievements of the Northwest Knights Spirit Shop will be showcased at DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida this summer. Butler Tech wishes each of these young leaders the best of luck at the national competition and in their collegiate and professional futures!