When Coppell High School junior Driti Gajjela steps onto the podium, a wave of pride and accomplishment takes over. As the clapping of the crowd fades, a wide smile of joy appears on newly elected District 11 president Gajjela.
The Texas DECA Career Development Conference was held at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas on Jan. 25. During the event, Gajjela was elected District 11 president for the 2024-25 school year.
“When they announced my name, it didn’t feel real,” Gajjela said. “I honestly expected to get vice president, so when I won, it was really shocking. But after all the hard work I put in, it felt incredibly rewarding.”
Gajjela’s election marks the fourth consecutive year that Coppell High School has held the District 11 presidency, a legacy DECA members take pride in.
“We were really hoping to continue the streak, and thanks to Driti, we did,” CHS executive vice president of competition Ishan Wakade said. “It’s a huge deal for the school, especially with how competitive the race was this year.”
The election process required candidates to submit an essay, pass an exam, complete an interview with board members and campaign at the district conference, including delivering a speech to voting delegates. Gajjela, who had prior experience as a voting delegate herself, understood the significance of the role.
“As a voting delegate, you’re not just picking someone because they’re your friend or from your school—you’re voting for the person who will best represent the entire district,” Gajjela said. “It was interesting to be on the other side this time, knowing that others were analyzing me the same way I once evaluated candidates.”
Her DECA journey began freshman year when she took a business course. Gajjela grew curious about applying concepts that she learned in class to the outside world which sparked an early interest in business. Influenced by friends and a new interest in business, she tried out DECA.
“I started taking my first business class, and I really enjoyed the concepts I was learning,” Gajjela said. “At first, DECA was confusing, but as I practiced and saw others competing, it started making more sense. That’s when I really got into it.”
Gajjela advanced to the state level twice prior to running for District 11 president. While those achievements boosted her confidence, her motivation came from something deeper.
“Making it to state encouraged me, but it wasn’t the main reason I ran,” Gajjela said. “I wanted to take my DECA experience to the next level. I had so much drive and passion for this organization, and leading District 11 felt like the best way to put that energy into action.”
Gajjela’s leadership qualities and ability to communicate effectively stood out early on, according to CHS DECA advisor Richard Chamberlain.
“She declared her intent to run as early as her sophomore year,” Chamberlain said. “That kind of early motivation and dedication showed she was serious about this position. She knew what it meant to represent Coppell and was confident in taking the next step.”
Outside of DECA, Gajjela has spent years developing her leadership skills through dance, singing and earning a black belt in taekwondo—experiences she believes helped her stand out in the election.
“Those activities taught me perseverance and resilience,” Gajjela said. “It wasn’t just about being good at competition—I wanted people to see that I had the discipline and work ethic to lead.”
As District 11 president, Gajjela has ambitious plans to expand networking and skill-building opportunities for students.
“I want to start an inspirational guest speaker series and workshops on skills like time management, public speaking and emotional intelligence,” Gajjela said. “DECA is so competition-focused that we sometimes forget how much it applies to the real world. I want to help students see that bigger picture.”
Her election has already inspired younger DECA members to consider future leadership roles.
“Her success is inspirational because now I’m sure some of the sophomores will be interested in running next year just from seeing Driti get the presidency,” Wakade said. “Hopefully, she’s inspired the next group to continue that trend.”
Chamberlain thinks Gajjela’s confidence and dedication will serve her well.
“The biggest thing I tell my students is to relax and trust their abilities,” Chamberlain said. “Driti has the motivation, the communication skills, and the work ethic to succeed. Now, it’s about taking a deep breath and letting all that preparation pay off.”
For Gajjela, DECA is more than just a club—it’s been a defining part of her high school experience. As she steps into her new role, she hopes to give back to the organization that shaped her.
“DECA has given me so much, from skills to friendships to opportunities,” Gajjela said. “Now, I want to make sure other students have that same experience.
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