By Whitney Walls

OBHS DECA reporter

It was a new experience for 25 students and two teachers as the junior and senior members of the Olive Branch High School DECA chapter traveled to Natchez for the Oct. 3-5 Fall Leadership Development Conference.

During a stop in Jackson, DECA advisor Clayton Marble gave students the opportunity to visit the Northpark Mall, Mynell Gardens, the old capitol building, the Agricultural Museum and the Park on the River.

After the day’s exciting adventure, the group sat down for a cozy patio dinner at Keifer’s, a Greek restaurant. The seniors had been there the previous year, but the juniors were a little skeptical about trying the new and different food.

In the end, however, the food turned out to be very delicious and the atmosphere extremely friendly with a “homey” feel. The servers were great and the overall outcome of the night was wonderful.

After the meal, the group continued on to Natchez, arriving around 11 p.m.

 The conference officially kicked off on Sunday, Oct. 4, starting with greetings from Jim Bowers of the Mississippi DECA Foundation as well as from the Mississippi DECA Alumni and Delta Epsilon Chi, the collegiate-level DECA.

Keynote speaker was Dr. John G. Igwebuike, a certified professional speaker and professor of business law. He started with a quote which basically told the audience that “if someone tells you can’t do something, then prove them wrong and strive for it anyway.”

His personal and professional motto as a speaker is, “Not for the reward of the message, but for the truth of the message.”

Following the speech, students split into two groups for teacher-led workshops and then mini-workshops.

The second half of the day featured Alan Sands, a well-known hypnotist, who entertained the students. Olive Branch DECA members D.J. Biggs and Marick Anderson were chosen to take part in the performance.

Sands describes his comedy as both “funny ha ha and funny strange.” The show was incredibly entertaining as everyone had a magnificent time enjoying themselves.

A DECA dance and curfew rounded out the day’s activities.

The last day, Monday, Oct. 5, started with Mississippi DECA District IV vice-president Blythe Dunaway doing, “The Moose” skit to get everyone involved and ready for the rest of the day.

Students then took part in mock role playing with their advisors in order to get the “feel” of what will happen when competition begins. During the closing session it was announced that Olive Branch had captured second place in the banner design contest, thanks to the hard work and dedication of chapter member Isaac Owens.

After the conference closed, the OBHS DECA chapter visited Rosalie Mansion, an antebellum mansion that dates back to 1820. Everything in the home was left there by the mansion’s two owners.

After leaving Rosalie, chapter members said their goodbyes to Natchez and headed back to Jackson for lunch, followed by a trip to “Home Sweet Home,” Olive Branch.

(Photos courtesy Kristen Heath, OBHS DECA historian)