At this year’s DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC), more than 25,000 high school students, teacher-advisors, business professionals, and alumni gathered for several days of competitions and career-building activities. For two exceptional students, Rishi and Alanna, it was the culmination of their hard work and dedication. Both were awarded $1,000 scholarships from the NRF Foundation to support their college tuition in recognition of their leadership, ambition, and commitment to shaping the future of business and retail.
As the Chapter President of Sayreville DECA, leading nearly 200 members, Rishi has spent four years immersed in DECA activities; from winning competitive events to spearheading fundraisers and mentoring peers. His accolades include 1st Place in Professional Selling at the District Conference, Top 10 Finalist in Personal Finance Literacy, and NJ DECA Ambassador Award, among many others.
Rishi’s passion lies in tech entrepreneurship. After high school, he plans to major in business and technology to advance his nonprofit, the Small Business Supporter Initiative. His goal? To build digital tools that empower startups and nonprofits.
“DECA has sharpened my leadership, communication, and organizational skills in ways that are directly applicable to my future career,” Rishi shares. “The mentorship and professional network I’ve built through DECA have inspired me to grow daily and embrace new challenges.”
Through the NRF Foundation’s RISE Up program, Rishi gained hands-on knowledge in retail operations, customer service, and sales strategy. These experiences have helped him bridge the gap between business and technology, preparing him to drive innovation in retail.
“It’s important to learn these fundamental skills, regardless of where you think your path will take you"
“It’s important to learn these fundamental skills, regardless of where you think your path will take you," he tells us. “RISE Up ignited my passion for retail’s impact on customer experiences, laying the groundwork for my future in tech-driven retail solutions.”
For Alanna, DECA was the spark that helped her discover her career path. Initially unsure of her future, she found clarity through DECA’s competitive events in finance and business law. Her passion for economics and ethics blossomed, and today she’s confidently pursuing a future as an economist and policymaker.
“DECA taught me how to analyze trends, make predictions, and solve problems,” Alanna explains. “These are the same skills I’ll use as an economist.”
Alanna’s leadership extends beyond DECA. She’s the Forensics Captain of her school’s Speech & Debate team, President of the Spectrum Club, Parliamentarian of the National Honor Society, and a dedicated SAT tutor. Her involvement in civic and academic organizations reflects her commitment to service and learning.
Through the NRF Foundation’s RISE Up program, Alanna earned a Customer Service & Sales credential that she applies in volunteer roles from food fundraisers to student election work.
“RISE Up helped me connect my DECA experiences to real-world scenarios,” she says. “It taught me how to ‘sell’ ideas, which is essential for collaborative research and policymaking.”
Alanna plans to use her scholarship to reduce the financial burden of college and fully embrace opportunities like studying abroad and conducting research.
“This scholarship gives me confidence to pursue a lengthy educational pathway,” she says. “It’s helping me connect my passions with others to solve real-world problems.”
The NRF Foundation’s scholarships recognize more than academic achievement, they celebrate vision, leadership, and the drive to make a difference. For Rishi and Alanna, DECA and the RISE Up program have been transformative, helping them build the skills and confidence to lead in business, technology, and public policy.
Their stories are a testament to the power of opportunity, and the bright future ahead for the next generation of retail and business leaders.
