ICDC The Beginning
If you asked the average high school student, "Hey, what clubs are you a part of?" one of the most common answers would likely be DECA.
DECA is the largest student organization that prepares high school and college students for careers in business, marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Through competitions, leadership experiences, and networking opportunities, members develop skills that employers and colleges highly value.
DECA competitions range from role-play events, where students take on real-world business roles—such as a Marketing Manager presenting ideas to a Vice President (played by the judge)—to prepared events, where competitors create presentations, reports, and business plans that showcase their creativity, strategic thinking, and ability to solve real business challenges.
These events are centered around DECA's core career areas: business, marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Because of the wide variety of events, there is something for everyone, allowing students to match their interests, express their creativity, and challenge themselves to go above and beyond.
After months of preparation, competitors advance through different levels of competition, beginning at the district level, then progressing to state, and ultimately earning the opportunity to compete at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). Hosted in different cities across the United States each year, ICDC brings together thousands of students from around the world to compete, learn, and celebrate their accomplishments.
Now, I invite you to join me on my journey as I share my experience at ICDC 2026—where I learned what it truly means to Rise to the Extra.
Day 1:
It was 4:00 AM—absolute silence. I woke up, got ready, and headed out, knowing our flight was scheduled to leave at 7:00 AM. Today, it was going to be the seven of us—me, five of my friends, and our coordinator—leaving Austin to experience what would become the best four days any high school student could dream of.
We all wore our matching Team Texas DECA shirts as we made our way to the gate. Delta would be our airline for the journey to ICDC, and although we were all seated in the back of the plane (our school definitely wasn't the richest), we didn't mind. I put on my headphones, turned on Avatar: The Last Airbender—a childhood classic—and spent part of the flight taking pictures of my friends sleeping for future memes.
One of my favorite parts of flying Delta was the Lotus Biscoff cookies. They were crunchy, buttery, and somehow tasted even better at 30,000 feet. After what felt like a long 4-hour and 20-minute flight, we finally landed in a place that would become a paradise of fun, competition, and unforgettable memories.
After touching down, we collected our bags and headed to our rental van. Since we had a big group, the van made perfect sense. Although the weather wasn't as hot as Austin's, Atlanta felt refreshing. I'd never been there before, and it honestly felt like stepping into a different reality—away from endless schoolwork and into a place where I could finally relax and enjoy myself.
By then, everyone was starving, so we drove to Lenox Square Mall, which seemed to have every store imaginable. We settled on Shake Shack, where I grabbed a burger and fries before spending some time exploring the mall. Since it was close to our hotel, it was the perfect first stop.
Later, we checked into The Whitley Hotel, which was absolutely packed with Team Texas members. After checking in, we received our Team Texas kits, state pins (which would become a much bigger deal later), and the most iconic item of all—the legendary Team Texas cowboy hat.
That evening was the Opening Session, so everyone dressed up in LED lights, shining as brightly as possible, just as we had been told to do. The ceremony was held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which also happens to be one of the host stadiums for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. (Personally, I'm hoping Messi somehow wins another one!)
This was also where the real game began: pin trading.
Every state and many international associations create unique collectible pins that represent where they're from. Maryland, for example, had a crab-themed pin, while Toronto had one inspired by Drake. These weren't just ordinary souvenirs—they were collectibles. Some rare pins were worth over $100, all for a tiny piece of metal. It sounded crazy at first, but trust me—I'll explain why in a future chapter.
Back to the ceremony.
Walking into Mercedes-Benz Stadium was breathtaking. The massive 360-degree Halo Board stretched around the roof, making the entire stadium feel larger than life. The opening session featured speeches congratulating everyone for making it this far and reminding us how much hard work it had taken to reach the international stage.
The night ended with an incredible light show that words honestly can't do justice.
By the time everything wrapped up, though, one thing was on everyone's mind: food. After what felt like forever getting back to the hotel, I grabbed a sandwich from Wendy's before heading upstairs. I spent the rest of the night doomscrolling for a bit, organizing everything I needed, and mentally preparing for competition the next morning.
Day One had already been an unforgettable adventure, but the real challenge was just beginning.
Tomorrow would bring a whole new horizon.
Thank you for reading, and stay tuned!
I've included some of my favorite pictures and videos from Day One below. Enjoy!!!!
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