The Power of Not Giving Up! (with William Cosme)
Never Give Up
I never joined DECA thinking it would change my life. Honestly, I joined just to have something to do in high school. I wanted to spend time with my friends, break the routine, and feel like I was part of something. It felt like just another club, nothing more.
But sometimes the smallest decisions end up shaping your entire future.
DECA didn’t come into my life with big promises or expectations. It grew on me slowly. Through meetings, activities, competitions, and trips, I started to change without even realizing it. The people around me stopped being just classmates or teammates and became family. They believed in me at moments when I was still full of doubts.
Every activity pushed me a little further. My fears became quieter. My shyness slowly disappeared. My confidence grew with each experience, until one day I did something I never thought I would do: I ran for a state-level leadership position. That decision opened doors I didn’t know existed. I met hundreds, then thousands of people, built meaningful connections, and became part of something much bigger than myself.
Because of DECA, I had the opportunity to travel to the SEM and lead presidents’ conferences, conventions, and one of the largest events bringing together DECA Puerto Rico members. I learned how to lead, how to listen, and how to step up when it mattered. I was a competitor and a leader at the same time, constantly learning and growing. I also had the opportunity to compete at ICDC in the Integrated Marketing Campaign – Product event, challenging myself on an international stage and applying everything DECA had taught me.
One of the most meaningful moments of my journey was running for International Executive Officer, President of DECA Inc.’s High School Division. Representing Puerto Rico and the Latino community on such a global stage, coming from such a small island, was something I will never forget. It showed me that where you come from does not define how far you can go.
I didn’t win the position, but the journey didn’t end there.
Instead of stopping, I kept going. I founded DECA Collegiate at my university and focused on what had always mattered most to me: helping others grow. In just one year, we opened more than six DECA Collegiate chapters across Puerto Rico, giving more students the opportunity to discover their potential and build confidence just like I once did.
If there’s one thing I want future DECA members to take from my story, it’s this: don’t give up. Fear will always be there, but it isn’t a reason to stop. It’s a sign that you’re about to grow. When you choose to move forward even when you’re scared, you open the door to opportunities you never imagined.
Take the step. Go after your dreams. Trust the process, even when you don’t feel ready. DECA changed my life in ways I never expected, and it all started with a simple decision to say yes. No matter where you come from, what truly matters is how far you are willing to go.
