DECA students from Interlake High School are getting “real world” marketing experience while competing for a prize package that includes concert tickets and a $1,000 stipend for their chapter.
The Interlake chapter, along with those from Issaquah and Lake Washington high schools, have adopted “Ten Grands-Seattle” as a marketing and community service project. Between now and mid-March these associations of marketing students will have a chance to demonstrate their marketing, entrepreneurial and leadership skills as they help promote “Ten Grands,” a benefit concert scheduled for April 3 at Benaroya Hall. Concert proceeds fund music education for K-12 students.
“We hope to give students a chance to enhance their classroom experiences while providing a hands-on opportunity to help other students,” said Kathy Fahlman Dewalt, co-producer and director of marketing and business for the Seattle production of Ten Grands. When a volunteer from her Steering Committee suggested creating a DECA project, she immediately embraced the idea since her three children had very positive experiences with the program when they were students.
Chapters can chose various levels of involvement with the Ten Grands project. To be eligible for the grand prize package, they must complete five activities within certain timelines. Those activities, designed to test different skills, involve creating a plan, selling tickets and community outreach to promote awareness of The Snowman Foundation and the Ten Grands event.
All participating chapters will be recognized in the event program and Website and will earn money for their chapter from sales of tickets and CDs. The grand prize for the winning chapter includes 15 complimentary tickets to the April 3 concert, 15 VIP passes to the pre- or post-event VIP party with the performers, business leaders and community leaders, and a $1,000 cash award for the chapter to use for field trips or other activities.
DECA is an association of high school students for teens interested in business, marketing, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Ten Grands is a presentation of The Snowman Foundation, based in Portland, Ore. It was formed in September 1999, partly in response to school budget cuts affecting K-12 music programs. Since inception, the nonprofit organization has raised more than $2 million.
This is the second year for a Ten Grands concert in Seattle. The musical extravaganza features 10 grand pianos and 10 concert pianists who play a variety of classical, jazz, blues, gospel, boogie woogie, pop, contemporary and new-age music.
Last year’s inaugural performance at Benaroya Hall generated more than $30,000, with proceeds used to fund a dozen different Puget Sound area organizations.
