65 area high school students participated in McHenry County College’s 11th annual Marketing Challenge on Friday, April 8. The challenge invites high school students to create marketing plans for a local business. This year’s event was sponsored by Amy Zakoian from A-Z Interiors in Crystal Lake.
As part of this year’s challenge, students presented ideas to raise awareness of the store and its interior design services. The students were judged on the quality of their presentations and the creativity of their solutions.
“We were excited to bring this event back in-person this year on MCC’s campus,” said Dr. Sandy Domagalski, instructor of business management and marketing at MCC. “All of the teams competed in Round 1 of the competition, then the top five teams went on to present in Round 2. The top three teams from Round 2 then competed in the last round of the competition.”
Seven area schools participated this year: Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, Marengo, McHenry, Prairie Ridge, and Richmond Burton. Participating students were chosen by their high school teachers.
In third place was Prairie Ridge Team 1 led by teacher Shane Foley. Students on the team included Addison Taege, Alicia Davis, Rylee Lydon, and Taylor Trax.
Coming in second place was Cary-Grove Team 1 guided by teacher Theresa Miller. Students on the team included Colin Desmet, Abby Hennessey, Tori Logan, and Wade Abrams.
Earning first place in the competition was Prairie Ridge Team 2, led by teacher Bryan Peckhart. Students on the team included Jack Demakis, Karsen Karlblom, Emily Harlow, and Isabella Pollastrini.
“The Marketing Challenge gives students an opportunity to apply what they learn in class to an authentic learning experience,” said Bryan Peckhart, who teaches business classes at Prairie Ridge High School. “They get to solve a problem for a local business in a collaborative manner, which is something they will need to do in the future when they go off to college or enter the workforce. It also gets them out of their comfort zone and is an excellent way for them to enhance their presentation skills.”
For more information about MCC’s marketing programs and certificates, visit www.mchenry.edu/marketing.