Cora Toutai, Provo High Senior

May 16th, 2025 /
Spencer Tuinei /
News, Provo High, Schools, Secondary Schools, Student Essentials Features

On any given morning at Provo High School, you might find senior Cora Toutai juggling a student council meeting agenda, polishing a business proposal for a DECA competition, or warming up for choir. Cora Toutai is a person of a dozen trades, and, surprisingly, a master of all.

It’s these reasons and more that Principal Kami Alvarez nominated Cora for Provo City School District’s senior spotlight. We spoke with Cora to hear how she’s managed– and she was warm-hearted, inviting, and energetic. As a graduating senior, she’s not only student body president, but also a standout in academics, arts, and athletics. All of these accomplishments are worthy of praise– as much as how she wears them.

But ask Cora about her most formative experiences, and surprisingly, it’s not student government that tops the list, but DECA. She dove headfirst into DECA, the national business and marketing club, tackling hefty, real-world business problems. A recent project came to mine as particularly invaluable, one she attributed to her leadership style:

“One project I did with Freedom Credit Union focused on employee retention… It was intimidating to step into someone else’s space and say, ‘Hey, I think I can help you with marketing,’ especially as a high school student.”

Yet that initial challenge became transformative. “Everything I learned from my DECA projects, especially learning about employee retention helped me lead student government better,” she says. “It taught me how to value people and keep them motivated.”

Cora’s DECA ventures were substantial, including writing a twenty-page marketing proposal. The stress and workload prepared her well. When interviewing for a campus job recently, she excelled during an on-the-spot role play.

Of course, as mentioned, her interests stretch beyond business. Cora has been part of Provo High’s prestigious chamber choir for three years. “I really liked our fine arts programs. Choir is super exciting, and our director is really awesome,” she notes.

Senior year also saw her taking up golf. “I picked up golf in high school, and it’s been really fun.”

Next, Cora will attend Brigham Young University, aiming to explore business further. “I’ll be living in the dorms, figuring out exactly what part of business I love most,” she shares. Her experiences at Provo High have provided a solid foundation for college.

Before ending our interview, Cora offered straightforward advice to younger students, all of which perfectly fitting, concerning her background and experience: “Get involved early. Try things out, figure out what you like, even if you’re not good at it at first. And care about your classes—it’ll help prepare you for college and your career.”

As Cora prepares for graduation, she leaves Provo High having made the most of her high school years—trying new things, tackling challenges head-on, and setting an example for younger students. We’re proud to recognize seniors like Cora, who approach life with curiosity, drive, and a contagious joy for life that you can’t help but catch and pass on in kind. Thanks, Cora, for uplifting our city and leading by example.