“DECA helped me out with my speaking skills a lot. Before I was nervous and couldn’t really talk, but I’ve learned to slow down my words a lot. I stop a lot more to think about what I’m going to say.”
Students at Francis Tuttle Technology Center have access to a wide range of Career Tech Student Organizations (CTSOs), providing opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom. These organizations allow students not only to showcase their knowledge but also to gain valuable leadership, interpersonal, and soft skills.
For Putnam City High School junior Akira Davidson, being part of DECA has allowed her to step outside her comfort zone. Before coming to Francis Tuttle’s Business Marketing and Management Program, Davidson said public speaking was something she avoided.
Davidson’s long-term goal is to open her own veterinary business. When she learned about Francis Tuttle’s programs, she saw an opportunity to build both business knowledge and communication skills. She admitted she initially felt nervous when presenting during class, especially since it was in front of people she did not yet know since she was new to the program.
“We would present in front of everybody, and you could tell everyone was scared and didn’t want to do it, but we all ended up doing it,” Davidson shared. “You could tell you weren’t by yourself, so that kind of prepared me for presenting, pitching my ideas, and for DECA projects. That prepared me to be less scared and more open and confident instead of scared and shy.”
For DECA, Davidson and her teammates — Camilla Juarez and Brooklyn Moore — developed a project focused on healthier dog food options. They practiced their presentation daily in preparation for the Oklahoma DECA State Career Development Conference, where they placed second.
“Now I feel like I can go present in front of the whole class and be less scared, which will also help me for college,” said Davidson.
Davidson’s classmate, Esteban Esparza, has experienced similar growth through his program and DECA. The Putnam City West High School senior, who wants to own his own business someday, most likely in construction, said he entered the Business Marketing and Management Program as a shy student. Now, he’s placed first at the state conference in back-to-back years.
“DECA helped me out with my speaking skills a lot,” Esparza said. “Before I was nervous and couldn’t really talk, but I’ve learned to slow down my words a lot. I stop a lot more to think about what I’m going to say.”
Hunter Tucker, who started in the Diesel Technology Program at the Reno Campus in August, recently participated at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference. A 2025 graduate of Edmond North High School, Tucker selected his program in part because he’s interested in working on heavy equipment.
Tucker decided to participate in SkillsUSA to test himself and see what he had learned. He added his is very glad he decided to join the CTSO as part of his Francis Tuttle experience.
“I wanted to see if I actually knew what I thought I knew knowledge-wise and if I could apply that,” Tucker said. “Competing really told me what I need to focus on more and what I need to just keep up knowledge-wise.”
While each student’s journey looks different, Davidson, Esparza, and Tucker have experienced firsthand the impact being part of a CTSOs can have. They all encouraged other Francis Tuttle students to participate in their respective organizations.
“Try it out for the experience,” Esparza suggested. “You never know what you’re going to do when you’re older, and you have one chance at life. Just try everything and see if you are good at it and if you like it.”
With various competitions still on the schedule throughout the spring and into the summer, Francis Tuttle students will keep putting their skills to the test and representing the technology center at the national level.