While students, their leaders, and community members across the state got loud in asking the state to continue funding Utah’s Career and Technical Student Organizations, 6 students from Uintah High School took their efforts a step further and made a significant difference. Uintah DECA student leaders Josh Hill, Jaevry Elison, Eliza Averett, and Ava Haslem, as well as Uintah FFA President Natalee Lamoreaux and Uintah FBLA President Emma Gardiner attended the Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing at the Capitol on Tuesday to advocate for continued funding for these organizations. Uintah DECA advisor Kami Elison says they were surprised to find that the 6 young leaders from Uintah High School were the only high school students in attendance and their presence made a powerful difference. “Their passion, commitment, and love of CTSOs really spoke to those legislators and they put the line item for CTSOs back on the base budget,” shares Elison. “Many of the legislators said they had never had so many people reach out to them.” The Uintah student leaders shared a letter from the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce in support of their cause with all the committee members. They presented the petition signatures and statements they gathered and spoke up on why these organizations, that include DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, and TSA, matter so much. Having success in seeing the subcommittee reinstate the funding into the budget was exciting and fulfilling for these impressive teens. “DECA has changed my life and taught me skills that I never would’ve learned in a classroom,” shares Uintah DECA Vice President Eliza Averett. “I’m honored to be a part of the fight for these opportunities to continue to exist for future high school students, so that they can learn how to be confident in themselves and their ideas like I have.” Uintah DECA Secretary Jaevry Elison says, “It was an amazing opportunity to go to the Capitol and meet with the Senators to tell them my why and show them how passionate we are about our CTSOs. And I’m so grateful that they were so open to hear what we had to say.” Uintah DECA President Josh Hill says, “This experience has taught me that I can play a role in government, and in the future of Utah.” Well done to these local teens for leading the effort to see these important student organizations continue.
