50 area high school students participated in McHenry County College’s 14th annual Marketing Challenge on Friday, April 4. The challenge invites high school students to create marketing plans for a local business.
This year’s event was sponsored by Home of the Sparrow. Headquartered in Woodstock, Home of the Sparrow operates seven thrift stores and donation centers, providing services for over 2,000 homeless families in McHenry County and Northern Illinois. As part of this year’s challenge, students presented strategies to attract donors and volunteers, discussed trends in corporate giving, and shared innovative campaign ideas and messaging.
“We were very pleased to have Home of the Sparrow as our sponsor this year,” said Dr. Sherry Ridge, Business Management and Marketing Department Chair at MCC. “We had been wanting a county non-profit as a sponsor. We see the need for our students to understand the importance of non-profits in the county and the career opportunities available through them.”
Five area high schools participated this year: Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, Prairie Ridge, and Woodstock North. Participating students were chosen by their high school teachers.
In third place was Cary-Grove Team 3, which included students Daniel Neuses, Jack Matras, and Charles Krause.
Coming in second place was Cary-Grove Team 2, including students Kayla Gogol, Elise Carrier, Evangelyn Diaz, and Shamya Craft.
Earning first place in the competition was Cary-Grove Team 1, including students Parker Frank, Joe Burton, and Ben Hafner.
All three teams were led by Cary-Grove high school and dual credit teacher Theresa Miller.
For more information about MCC’s marketing programs and certificates, visit www.mchenry.edu/marketing.