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Cody Rodgers, a Cypress Bay Alumni
What high school class did you graduate from? College class
- I graduated from CBHS in 2013. I received my B.S in political science and interdisciplinary social science from FSU in 2017. I’m currently pursuing my MPA at UCF.
How would you describe your DECA Story?
- Like most students at CBHS during the time, my interest in DECA started in Leete's Cookie Corner. Though the co-curricular aspect of the program caught my interest I also enjoyed the course material offered as electives. By graduation, I had completed all three tracks of marketing, personal finance, and accounting. Outside of class, I started volunteering in the cookie business and eventually served as the VP of finance overseeing chapter fundraising. I would then serve as executive Vice President and eventually chapter president. DECA instilled leadership abilities and valuable life lessons into me that I still use to this day. You’re taught skills and values that a traditional textbook could never offer while making amazing memories along the way.
How has everything been since you graduated?
- Since graduation I have spent most of my time away from South Florida and in our states capitol of Tallahassee. During my sophomore year at FSU, I obtained an internship in the Florida House of Representatives. After my DECA experience, I firmly believe not everything can be taught in a lecture setting and believe yearly competition helped me prepare for the interview process. I would keep this internship all throughout college diving deeper into the political process and preparing for my future career. Shortly after graduating from Florida State I was hired on staff with a representative from Coconut Creek and have worked in the Florida Legislature ever since.
How has DECA prepared you for your future?
- DECA prepared me in multiple ways the list is really too long. For example, when I was VP of finance I was required to complete a finance report and learned multiple financial methods within the courses offered. Today, I manage three state accounts for the representative each requiring an understanding of finances and filing of reports. Every quarter I complete one I’m reminded of my time at CBHS DECA. The competition portion of the program also prepared me for public speaking events and networking at conferences prepared me for networking with fellow members of the legislature and lobbyist. It really does go on and on.
What’s your fondest memory about DECA?
- This is a tough one. I would have to say that feeling that we were all family and it definitely takes a village to run a chapter the size of CBHS DECA. Hosier is an amazing advisor but he can only do so much. It’s up to the DECA family to operate the chapter with fundraising, enrolling students, compete like you mean it. I always admired the students who would sell 10 candy boxes and it made me think was I doing enough for my chapter. At ICDC one year the conference phrase was Aspire Higher and for some reason it’s stuck with me all this time. We all should try to aspire higher weather in be in school, your career, or any aspiration.
What advice would you give to freshman/new members today?
- My advice to freshmen or new members would be to seize every opportunity available to you. It may be out of your comfort zone or challenge you to think outside of the box and it may seem challenging in the long run you’re preparing yourself for a future you may not even realize yet.
If you competed, how was your experience?
- I competed mostly in professional sales where I placed 10th in the county my first year and 2nd place the following year. I always regretted not challenging myself to compete in a research project and wish I could’ve realized the mistake I was making. The first ICDC I attended was as a leadership delegate and wished I had taken competition more seriously to experience the rush of being called on stag
What high school class did you graduate from? College class
- I graduated from CBHS in 2013. I received my B.S in political science and interdisciplinary social science from FSU in 2017. I’m currently pursuing my MPA at UCF.
How would you describe your DECA Story?
- Like most students at CBHS during the time, my interest in DECA started in Leete's Cookie Corner. Though the co-curricular aspect of the program caught my interest I also enjoyed the course material offered as electives. By graduation, I had completed all three tracks of marketing, personal finance, and accounting. Outside of class, I started volunteering in the cookie business and eventually served as the VP of finance overseeing chapter fundraising. I would then serve as executive Vice President and eventually chapter president. DECA instilled leadership abilities and valuable life lessons into me that I still use to this day. You’re taught skills and values that a traditional textbook could never offer while making amazing memories along the way.
How has everything been since you graduated?
- Since graduation I have spent most of my time away from South Florida and in our states capitol of Tallahassee. During my sophomore year at FSU, I obtained an internship in the Florida House of Representatives. After my DECA experience, I firmly believe not everything can be taught in a lecture setting and believe yearly competition helped me prepare for the interview process. I would keep this internship all throughout college diving deeper into the political process and preparing for my future career. Shortly after graduating from Florida State I was hired on staff with a representative from Coconut Creek and have worked in the Florida Legislature ever since.
How has DECA prepared you for your future?
- DECA prepared me in multiple ways the list is really too long. For example, when I was VP of finance I was required to complete a finance report and learned multiple financial methods within the courses offered. Today, I manage three state accounts for the representative each requiring an understanding of finances and filing of reports. Every quarter I complete one I’m reminded of my time at CBHS DECA. The competition portion of the program also prepared me for public speaking events and networking at conferences prepared me for networking with fellow members of the legislature and lobbyist. It really does go on and on.
What’s your fondest memory about DECA?
- This is a tough one. I would have to say that feeling that we were all family and it definitely takes a village to run a chapter the size of CBHS DECA. Hosier is an amazing advisor but he can only do so much. It’s up to the DECA family to operate the chapter with fundraising, enrolling students, compete like you mean it. I always admired the students who would sell 10 candy boxes and it made me think was I doing enough for my chapter. At ICDC one year the conference phrase was Aspire Higher and for some reason it’s stuck with me all this time. We all should try to aspire higher weather in be in school, your career, or any aspiration.
What advice would you give to freshman/new members today?
- My advice to freshmen or new members would be to seize every opportunity available to you. It may be out of your comfort zone or challenge you to think outside of the box and it may seem challenging in the long run you’re preparing yourself for a future you may not even realize yet.
If you competed, how was your experience?
- I competed mostly in professional sales where I placed 10th in the county my first year and 2nd place the following year. I always regretted not challenging myself to compete in a research project and wish I could’ve realized the mistake I was making. The first ICDC I attended was as a leadership delegate and wished I had taken competition more seriously to experience the rush of being called on stag
