While they may not have seen Kanye or Beyonce, the local community got a taste of the Hollywood red carpet on Feb. 5 as part of the ninth annual DECA Fashion Show held at Seneca High School.
Students were given the challenge of marketing the occasion to the target audience.
“It’s a whole semester of learning,” said Grace McCloskey, a teacher at Seneca who oversees the event. “The students need to decide the best form of promotion for the event.”
Organizers utilized their personal social media accounts to help reach the target audience comprised of peers and their families.
“These kids are so quick these days, especially with technology,” McCloskey said.
Additionally, they sent emails, tweets and Facebook posts informing anyone about the upcoming event.
“As they learn something, then they actually apply it,” McCloskey said, noting students have made commercials in the TV technology department. “They work hard.”
Having the TV technology has been “phenomenal,” she said. The students also utilize the media center.
“The kids just work so hard on this project, they really stepped up to the plate,” McCloskey said.
Part of the assignment was creating a budget for the event as well as reaching out to local businesses to donate goods for a silent auction. More than 20 baskets were provided for attendees to bid for, with prizes ranging from restaurant gift certificates to candles and kitchen needs.
For McCloskey, managing the large group of students was a challenge.
“This year was tough,” she said, noting an increase of approximately 35 students from years past. “It’s hard to keep them focused sometimes.”
McCloskey allowed the students to take the reins, acknowledging she lends them guidance throughout the process.
“They can’t learn unless they make mistakes, which they do,” McCloskey said.
The night was comprised of students strutting their stuff across the auditorium stage while hosts Samantha Hagmayer, John Mauer and Gene Mosca of Formal Expressions Tuxedos explained what the kids were wearing. The event not only raises money for the school’s marketing class but also gives parents an idea of what their child can wear to the prom.
McCloskey said the best part of the show is when the event’s over and the students see what they did. The show is recorded and each student gets a digital copy to show prospective schools or employers.
“I’ve learned that if you give the students a challenge, they will meet it,” McCloskey said.
