Student Group Promotes Career Education

Contributed photo

February was declared Weston’s “DECA and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month” in a proclamation by First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor, recognizing programs that “offer students the opportunity to gain the academic, technical and employability skills necessary for true career readiness.” For business and industry, the aim is to ensure that “employers have access to a qualified and thriving workforce.”

DECA Inc., originally known as Distributive Education Clubs of America, is an international nonprofit career and technical student organization. Weston High School’s chapter was launched by junior Gavin Villepigue.

Mr. Villepigue told the first selectwoman that the chapter has worked with local nonprofits to provide healthy food and books for underserved communities, including a Give the Gift of Reading campaign that collected more than 2,000 books for donation to Darien Book Aid. An advocacy campaign is underway to raise awareness about the importance of career and technical education in high schools.