This letter recommends Rhodi Celaj for an outstanding candidate. The instructor describes Rhodi as an excellent student who has exhibited superior academic and leadership skills through her involvement in the Marketing Program and DECA. Rhodi holds leadership positions in DECA as Co-President and has placed highly in several DECA competitions at the district, state, and national levels. The instructor further highlights Rhodi's leadership abilities in serving as a voting delegate for the Missouri DECA Leadership conference. The instructor concludes that Rhodi is highly organized, hard-working, and well-respected by both faculty and peers.

1. March 23, 2015
Dear Selection Committee Member;
As Rhodi Celaj’s Marketing Program Instructor and DECAAdvisor at Lindbergh High School, I highly
recommend her as an outstanding candidate. Rhodi is an excellent student who has exhibited superior
academic and leadership skills while participating in the Marketing Program and DECA (An association of
marketing students).
This young woman is one of the most educationally well-rounded students I have encountered during my
sixteen years of teaching. While being Rhodi’s Marketing Instructor, IB Business Instructor, and DECA
Advisor at Lindbergh, I have had the opportunity to observe her in both the academic setting of high school
classes and in the non-academic setting of extra-curricular activities. In whatever setting Rhodi is in, she
takes control of the situation and is looked to by her peers for leadership. Rhodi holds a vital leadership
position in Lindbergh DECA, serving as the Co-President for Lindbergh DECA. Lindbergh DECA is a
large organization of 100+ students, and Rhodi does an excellent job of promoting togetherness and
teamwork among them through her organization of social events and community service projects. Rhodi
competed at the DECA District 9 Career Development Conference and placed 1st
in Financial Services
Team Decision making, where she completed a 100 question test on Accounting and participated in one
extended role plays related to finance in front of a judge. She then competed at the State Conference in
March. As a sophomore, Rhodi also placed high in the Advertising Campaign Event and went on to
compete at the State conference.
Rhodi has also demonstrated her leadership abilities by serving as a voting delegate at the 2013 and 2104
Missouri DECA Leadership conference. This position involved working with the screening and nominating
committee to choose the best candidate for each position as well as listening to the campaigning of all
officer candidates in a two hour session. Rhodi was more than up to the task of choosing Missouri DECA’s
next president, vice-presidents of communication, advocacy and community service.
Rhodi also works part-time in addition to all of her other activities listed in her application. In her
Marketing II class, Rhodi is an “A” student, and constantly puts in an extra effort on her assignments and
projects. Rhodi has achieved much in her high school career.
As demonstrated by her activities and achievements listed in her application, Rhodi is an individual who
can organize, set, and achieve goals. She is respected by both the faculty and her peers at Lindbergh. I am
confident that she will be an exceptional representative for your program.
Sincerely,
Michelle Stortzum
Marketing/ Business Instructor
DECAAdvisor
Lindbergh High School