DECA Releases New Video Showcasing Impactful AT&T/DECA Mentoring Project

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In its inaugural year, the #DECAATTProject has provided more than 31,000 hours of mentoring to 11,500 students in 20 schools across the United States. The #DECAATTProject is part of a larger initiative through the AT&T Aspire Mentoring Academy, aimed at connecting students with mentors to help them succeed in school and beyond.  See what participating students, teachers and mentors are saying about this collaboration here:  The full impact of the project is available in the complete report.

"DECA is honored to collaborate with the AT&T Aspire Mentoring Academy to connect students with AT&T mentors to help them succeed in school and beyond.  DECA has long been recognized for its ability to create the kind of mentor-mentee relationships so critical to student success," said Paul Wardinski, Executive Director of DECA Inc.

The student impact was summed up well by Elizabeth Keyes, a student participant at Hinds County Career and Technical High School in Jackson, MS, who said, "I appreciate AT&T working with DECA to create this opportunity for me to meet people who have such great advice.  It encourages me to believe that anything is possible."

"The results from the first year's work are very impressive in terms of student outcomes, teacher engagement and mentor satisfaction. We look forward to continuing our creative collaboration with DECA," said Allison Hannel, director of community engagement, AT&T. 

Said Terri Peoples, marketing teacher and DECA advisor at Seventy-First High School, in Fayetteville, NC, "The collaboration with AT&T is amazing; we've been given opportunities that were not available before. The mentors help push our students to the next level."

The #DECAATTProject is built upon DECA's renowned Comprehensive Learning Program that supports the Common Core and 21^st Century Skills.  DECA's 70 year history of creating volunteer opportunities provides the foundation for AT&T volunteers to support classroom instruction, provide 'real world' experiences and assess student achievement. Participating schools serve at-risk students, students from rural areas and students from military families.

**Learn more about the #DECAATTProject at storify.com/decainc or follow #DECAATTProject on Twitter @DECAInc. and AT&T @ATT and @ConnectToGood

SOURCE DECA Inc.

Related Links

http://www.deca.org/