Dash For Donations Help us present a Cancer Donation Project

Jaileen Guerrero Start Date: Jan 15, 2026 - End Date: Mar 13, 2026
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Professional Development
  • Boston, MA, United States of America
  • Atlanta, GA, United States of America

My Travel Story

by: Jaileen Guerrero Start Date: Jan 15, 2026 - End Date: Mar 13, 2026
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Professional Development
We are three DECA students—Matthew (left), Jaileen, and Jay (right)—who are driven and motivated to expand our knowledge of business while raising awareness for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and its mission.

Recently, we competed at MASS DECA District 2, where we proudly placed second in our category. This achievement represents our hard work, dedication, and commitment to making an impact through business and community involvement. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunities DECA has provided us to grow as future leaders.

Our project, Dash for Donations, is the campaign we will be presenting again at the state level. This project combines our passion for marketing, teamwork, and philanthropy to support cancer research and awareness.

Below, each of us will explain why competing at states is meaningful to us and how this experience has shaped our personal and professional growth.

“Being a Junior at Stoughton High School I have always had a passion for improving my skills and networking throughout the business community. Recently I have been given the opportunity to participate in the Massachusetts Distributive Education Clubs of America all state competition. This experience would help me expand my horizons through real world experience within a business atmosphere. After having multiple close family members experience the suffering that cancer forces upon us, I truly believe this research campaign is deeply personal as it gives me the opportunity to help other people regain health but also stay connected to their families.” — Matthew Pritchard


"As a High School Junior I have recently been interested in building meaningful connections and growing within the business world. I have not yet had the opportunity to compete at the state level, and this experience would significantly expand and strengthen my understanding of business through real-world application. Presenting a cancer research campaign is deeply personal to me—it represents healing and resilience, as my brother, who is 17 years old, has battled leukemia and continues to undergo chemotherapy. Competing at the state level is about more than professional growth; it is a chance to represent and give a voice to those whose stories are too often underappreciated." 
— Jaileen Guerrero


“Competing at the DECA state level is meaningful to me because it represents the opportunity to challenge myself beyond my comfort zone and grow both personally and professionally. Through this experience, I have strengthened skills such as communication, while learning the importance of teamwork, leadership, and real-world problem solving. Being part of Dash for Donations has also shown me how business can be used to create positive change, especially by supporting important causes like cancer research. I’ve seen cancer first hand and it took a toll after my father and grandfather were diagnosed so I understand the effect it can withhold on the innocent everyday person and change one viewpoint on life. This journey has motivated me to continue developing as a leader and to pursue future opportunities in business and community impact.”  — Jay McNamara


  • Boston, MA, United States of America
  • Atlanta, GA, United States of America