By: Shelley Callahan, Director of Development
Our community partners are all incredibly valuable to us to help ensure that we can continue our work supporting Virginians impacted by breast cancer. From elementary school students to senior citizens, passionate individuals across the state host amazing community events during October – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – each year, all so VBCF can continue to help Virginians in need. To highlight some of the amazing efforts of our partners, we spoke with Natasha Moorer, the DECA advisor at Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia, who shared what motivated her and her kids to host a VBCF month-long fundraiser for the second year in a row.
Shelley: Tell us about the DECA Club.
Natasha: DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is a student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Our club helps students build real-world skills through hands-on projects, competitions, and community service. We focus on leadership, teamwork, and professionalism, empowering students to grow academically and personally while making a positive impact in our school and community.
Shelley: Tell us more about you and your background as a teacher and advisor.
Natasha:I am a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Marketing teacher and DECA advisor at Armstrong High School with a deep passion for helping students develop real-world skills that prepare them for success beyond the classroom. A proud Southern Belle from the great state of South Carolina, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Master’s in Human Resources from Claflin University. I have been involved with youth programs since my undergraduate years, working with GEAR UP, TRIO, and other initiatives focused on student success. Supporting and guiding young people has always been a passion of mine. I truly believe that sometimes all a student needs is someone to believe in them and remind them that something greater is within their reach, and I strive to be that person.
With my background in marketing, I’m able to bridge classroom learning with hands-on experiences that foster leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship. In my role, I guide students as they explore business concepts, build professional skills, and apply their learning through community projects and DECA competitions.
I’m committed to creating opportunities that inspire students to think like entrepreneurs, lead with purpose, and give back to their communities. Watching them grow into confident, service-minded young professionals is truly the most rewarding part of my career.
Shelley: What motivated you to raise funds for VBCF?
Natasha: I was motivated to raise money for VBCF because I wanted to support a cause that impacts so many lives. I have a mother, family, and friends who have gone through the fight, and I made sure to explain to them that this is important because it can easily be any one of us or people we know. Breast cancer awareness and research are incredibly important, and this fundraiser gave our students a chance to make a real difference in the community while learning the value of compassion and service.
Shelley: Why did you feel that fundraising for VBCF was such a good fit for DECA students?
NM: Fundraising was a perfect fit for our DECA students because it combined leadership, service, and community impact, which are all values at the heart of DECA. These students went above and beyond, showing incredible initiative, creativity, and teamwork. They weren’t just raising money; they were raising awareness and hope. Watching them take ownership of such a meaningful cause and pour their energy into helping others truly showed how awesome and compassionate they are. They proved that DECA students aren’t just future business leaders, they’re changemakers with big hearts. They could have chosen to do anything else with their time and efforts, but they chose to be the change that most of us want to see. Most of the time, people are so quick to point out the wrong the youth are doing, but what about celebrating them when they do great things? I’m beyond proud of them.
Shelley : What did the kids do to raise funds for VBCF?
Natasha: The students organized several fundraising activities, including selling $1 Ribbons, Ribbon Pins, and breast cancer buttons, and a “Pick a Date to Donate” calendar fundraiser, where whatever date on the calendar you pick, that’s the amount you pay. They promoted breast cancer awareness throughout the school and community, showing great teamwork and dedication to supporting VBCF. And they raised $800, which was exactly twice as much as the $400 they raised last year!
Shelley: What other things did the kids do to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
Natasha:DECA laced up the football team and cheerleaders by changing their shoelaces to breast cancer laces during our last home/Senior Night Football Game, and we also displayed all the ribbons that were purchased. They had so much fun getting other students at the school involved!
Thank you to Natasha and all the DECA students for your invaluable support!
