Students in the Minot High School-Magic City Campus DECA chapter are building partnerships with businesses and learning the ins and outs of marketing while organizing a benefit run.
Kelsey Humphreys, a senior, is spearheading the organization's Muscular Dystrophy Association 5K Walk-Run, which is scheduled for Nov. 10. Humphreys said the North Dakota Muscular Dystrophy Association is the beneficiary.
Humphreys and fellow DECA officers Emily Borud, Alyssa Moum and Laura Martinson said they have made face-to-face visits to Minot businesses to solicit donations and entries for the event. They designed a brochure and sent it to 70 businesses, and put up fliers advertising the event all over town. They also plan to publicize the event in local media. A local business agreed to let people register for the event using their website. People can register by visiting (www.mileonerunningshop.com) and then clicking on the DECA 5K Walk/Run.
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Andrea Johnson/MDN
Minot High School-Magic City Campus DECA members Emily Borud, Alyssa Moum, Kelsey Humphreys and Laura Martinson are organizing the MDA 5K Walk/Run for Nov. 10.
Humphreys explained that it will cost $10 for an adult to register; $5 for a child under age 10 and $50 for a three- to five-member team to sign up. Onsite registration will cost an additional $5. Registration money can be mailed to Minot High School DECA at 1100 11th Ave. SW, Minot, ND 58701.
While Humphreys is the lead for the project, other DECA members will be on hand to help with the race on the day of the event.
Various businesses have also agreed to donate items for a silent auction that will be held the day of the event and prizes. Humphreys hopes to raise a few thousand dollars for the MDA.
While the event benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the DECA members said they're also learning valuable skills that will help them in the business world. Students make good business contacts and learn how to organize an event and market it properly. They also enter business competitions with the events they have organized during the school year. There is also a college-level DECA chapter which will enable young future business leaders to continue their involvement into the college years.
November is DECA Month and Minot High's chapter is planning several events.
There will be a pancake breakfast, sponsored by Applebee's, on Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at which DECA members will be servers and will sell tickets to benefit the organization. DECA night will be held on Nov. 26 at Spicy Pie.
DECA members also participate in other fundraisers throughout the year.