Anoka High School teacher Doug Orr earns Minnesota DECA Honorary Life Membership Award
(04/06/2022) Anoka High School business teacher Doug Orr was recognized as the 2022 recipient of the Minnesota DECA Honorary Life Membership Award at the state conference March 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis.
The Honorary Life Membership Award is the highest award bestowed upon any individual involved with DECA. Orr has been the DECA advisor at AHS for 26 years.
“It means a lot,” Orr said. “The time has flown by. To think I have been doing this for 26 years blows my mind. During that time, I have had the pleasure to work with so many students. One of coolest things about this award is to hear from many of them and hear them say how DECA had such a positive impact on their lives. Ultimately, that is what we are here for, to set up our students for a successful future, no matter what path they take. To hear from many of them and to know that has happened is priceless.”
As the DECA advisor, Orr guides and helps 125 AHS DECA students prepare for district, state, national and international events and competitions. He recruits students each year to get involved and then works to give them the best experience possible.
“One of the most important roles is to be the adult face of the program,” Orr said. “The kids are the most important part of what we do, but those faces change as the years go by. We as advisors are the constant. As such, we are always recruiting and trying to build our program.”
Orr puts a lot of work into the events and conferences each year. He has also held district level positions within DECA.
“The conferences and competitions we attend are some of the most exciting things about DECA,” Orr said. “DECA is something that you get out of what you put into it. My job is to sell them on the benefits of getting out of their comfort zone and growing as a young adult to maximize their potential.”
The Honorary Life Membership Award recognizes continuous meritorious and personal service towards DECA. Individuals receiving this award have contributed time, effort and guidance to the organization to aid in its growth and development.
Orr was able to celebrate the outstanding achievement with his parents, brother, wife, daughter and mother-in-law in attendance.
DECA enhances the preparation for college and careers by providing co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, applying learning in the context of business, connecting to business and the community and promoting competition. The student members leverage their DECA experience to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.
“DECA offers the students the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills that will separate them from others that they will be competing with for college admissions, college scholarships, and ultimately, jobs,” Orr said. “They learn critical thinking skills, communication skills, leadership skills, and networking skills among others.”
AHS DECA had 19 members compete at the state conference. Nine of them will attend the International Career Development Conference - the pinnacle of DECA competition - in Atlanta later this month.