For many students, getting ready for competitions and professional events for Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) means so much more than studying countless books and becoming an expert in their pitch; it calls for the appropriate professional attire to match. Noticing this desperate need for the proper DECA clothing, the inspiration for Suit Up For Success, a new student-led initiative founded by Julia Taylor (‘26) and Ella Ovadia (‘26) was born. This clothing drive collects used and new business attire such as suits, blouses, dress shirts, and accessories to help students feel confident and prepared for interviews, networking events, conferences, and competitions. The initiative was founded not only to address the need for professional clothing and accessories for students when they go to competitions but also to achieve the goal of establishing a sense of community among the students in the East community. 

“By creating a supportive environment, we aim to empower individuals to present themselves effectively and seize opportunities in their academic and professional pursuits. Ultimately, “Suit Up For Success” is about equipping students with the resources they need to succeed while promoting inclusivity and collaboration within our school community,” said Taylor, one of the co-founders. 

A continuation and extension of a previous East Deca project called Project Professionalism by Tamanna Darji and Grace Such, Taylor and Ovadia realized the struggle many kids have when it comes to finding professional clothes.  This is a highly competitive competition in DECA, and they hoped that if the community came together we would be able to bridge that gap.

For the co-founders, the idea for this clothing drive came from a simple in-class project that allowed them to connect over common interests in participating in community service and pursuing some form of entrepreneurship. 

“We both wanted to leverage our skills to make a tangible impact,” said Taylor, looking back at their motivation and the reasoning behind the beginnings of the initiative. The mission of Suit Up For Success is clear: to enable DECA students with attire to confidently present themselves.

Professional attire can often be very expensive, and without the appropriate attire, students might feel out of place or even avoid competing. The project meets a real need among many of East’s students so money does not become an obstacle in their participation.  It was important to create an environment where every student gets a chance to succeed, regardless of his or her background. 

Suit Up For Success collects donations from individuals and businesses. Currently, the drive is looking to collect business suits, coats, dress shirts, pants, and accessories in sizes small to XL. Taylor reiterated the importance of donation conditions to ensure that students who receive the outfits experience quality. According to the founders, the goal of this project is not to provide lesser quality clothing to those in need, but rather full outfits that meet the needs and standards of competitions, allowing the students to think solely about their competition and event. 

For those who do not have items to donate or are looking to participate in another area of the project, the founders welcome volunteers to help sort, categorize, and reorganize the donated clothes in preparation for the distribution events as a way to relate to peers while also giving back for a good cause. They also organize students to promote the clothes drive through social networking or reaching out to local businesses and the community for more donations. 

To founders Ovadia and Taylor, this project is so much more than a clothing drive to support DECA students; it’s about being able to make a difference in the lives of their peers during an important time in both their academic and professional pursuits.

“Knowing that we can make a difference in students’ lives is incredibly rewarding,” said Taylor. 

Together, they hope Suit Up For Success will incentivize more students to get involved with DECA, build camaraderie, develop a desire to do community service to benefit the greater good of our community, and a sense of teamwork.

In this project, Ovadia and Taylor have strived for something that will make students feel prepared for this new stage in their lives, supported, and confident. 

“It’s about building a community where we uplift each other and ensure everyone has access to the resources they need to succeed. It’s rewarding to know that we’re making a tangible difference in people’s lives.”