On October 15, student leaders from Delcastle Technical High School attended the 2025 Delaware CTSO Fall Leadership Conference, held at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall. Students representing SkillsUSA, HOSA, DECA, BPA, and Educators Rising joined peers from across the state for a full day of workshops and collaborative activities designed to build confidence, communication skills, and leadership capacity.
The event served as a launchpad for the year ahead—helping students reflect on their roles as leaders within their CTSOs and the broader school community.
For Dulce Tlaseca-Zuniga (Teacher Academy '27), the day was about learning how to lead with purpose. “The most impactful lesson I learned during the leadership conference was the importance of leading with trust, compassion, stability, and hope. I realized that being a great leader isn’t just about giving directions, but about creating a space where people feel supported and valued. Learning how these four qualities build stronger teams and positive environments really changed the way I see leadership."
Zoey Nalepa (Medical Assisting, '27) left the conference energized by collaboration. “Learning with other schools about an organization we are new to” was impactful, she said. “It gave me ideas to make our DECA group stronger and more inclusive.”
For younger students, the conference offered early exposure to the power of CTSOs. Jaslynn Vega (Dental Assisting, '28) reflected, “Being involved is important because not only does it show that you want to be involved, but it shows that you'd want to make a difference for your school, yourself, and your community.”
Likewise, Mark Smith (Automotive Technology, '28) found value in learning how to stay organized and lead by example. “The most important thing I learned through the CTSO conference was how to apply compassion and understanding to problem-solving scenarios,” he explained. “I plan to apply what I learned by keeping myself and others accountable (Stability), communicating more effectively (Trust), inspiring the new generation (Hope), and listening with empathy and understanding (Compassion).”
Andre Grube (Chem Lab, '28) emphasized the connection between leadership and service. “I learned how to support my community and be a better leader,” he said.
Evelyn Mazaba-Gonzaga (Biomedical Science, '27) was also greatly inspired by the conference. "I plan to apply the leadership skills I developed at the conference to my role as a student leader at Delcastle...by actively working to create an environment where my team members feel supported and motivated to achieve greater." But Evelyn doesn't want to stop there. She added, "I want to be someone who can be relied on, who can work with my team to approach challenges and overcome them, and who can support them in their own individual goals to become the best person they can be. With these in mind, I hope to help strengthen our chapter and make a meaningful impact to not only my CTSO, but our school and community."
Each student left the conference with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to their leadership journey. Whether they’re organizing service projects, mentoring younger peers, or preparing for competitions, Delcastle’s CTSO leaders are setting the tone for a powerful year ahead.
As part of its ongoing commitment to Serving, Empowering, and Transforming students, Delcastle continues to invest in leadership opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.
Want to join a CTSO at Delcastle?
Students are encouraged to speak with their CTE teacher or visit the Student Activities Office to learn more about how to get involved in SkillsUSA, HOSA, DECA, BPA, or Educators Rising.