Pasadena Memorial senior CJ Moorer advances to Nationals following a top eight finish at the DECA State Competition.
By: Jade Wise
Pasadena ISD Communications
Following a recent top eight finish at the DECA state competition, Charles “CJ” Moorer will be the first student in Pasadena Memorial High School history to go to the national competition for DECA next month.
The senior competed against 86 other students in the Personal Financial Literacy Category at the state competition, where he took a test and delivered a presentation on the importance of having good credit, knowing your credit score and why lenders need to know that information.
Memorial DECA Advisor Timothy Boyd has been working with DECA students for four years, but he knew he stumbled onto a special talent when he heard Moorer read at a campus poetry slam.
“I knew I needed this student for DECA once I saw CJ’s presentation skills,” said Boyd.
Inspired by his mother and biggest fan, Nicole Blakes, an entrepreneur herself, Moorer aspires to pursue a career in finance following high school.
“My mother started her own business about 12 years ago, and I want to be as good as my mom or even better,” said Moorer. “She’s more excited than me about me going to nationals, if that is even possible.”
Moorer says he looks forward to making new connections with other talented students at the DECA national competition in Atlanta, Georgia on April 21-24.
“Everyone who has made it to nationals is someone who knows what they are doing,” said Moorer.”If I can make friends with people who know what they are doing, there is a possibility that may take me a little further in life.”
“I think it’s great to have someone like CJ represent the community,” said Boyd. “CJ is someone who has great comradery with the teachers at the school and he works well with other students. It’s really good to see him be successful and represent Pasadena Memorial at DECA.”
DECA is an international student organization with over 215,000 members in the US, Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain. The organization’s goal is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
(Submitted Photo): CJ Moorer shows off his trophy following his win at state.