Deca hosts a fundraiser for the books

Golf clubs, Pitbull tickets and Patriots games, oh my!

The Wareham High School Deca students hosted their 46th annual auction Sunday, March 22. With hundreds of donations from many local businesses and community members, the event was a huge success and the biggest fundraiser of the year.

Deca is an organization and extra-curricular club at Wareham High School that prepares emerging entrepreneurs and leaders in management, marketing, finance and hospitality. Deca applies skills learned in the classroom to real-world business scenarios. 

The auction featured a live auction, silent auction, and a “rollies” raffle. Items such as a pair of Patriots preseason tickets, Pitbull concert tickets, gift cards, a 4-Pack of 18 holes of golf,  two lift tickets for Pats Peak Mountain, five tickets to see New England Revolution and many more.

Audio and video services were provided by an AV Club member as well as help from culinary students for meals served during the event.

DECA advisor and Business Teacher, Lisa Cunha said that the auction serves as a major learning experience for the students and praised the local businesses who donated.

"I feel honored to continue a longstanding Wareham High School DECA tradition started by Cliff Sylvia. It’s a tribute to his legacy," she said.

Auctioneer Phillip Gomes volunteered his time to run the live auction. Gomes, a Wareham Native and a Wareham High 1968 graduate, attended the Missouri School of Auctioneering to pursue auctioneering as his main passion.

Students in the program worked to coordinate and plan the event. Students also volunteered at during the event, serving and helping cook the food, checking guests in and helping run the auctions.

Deca members Sofiya Elsayed, Kailee Rose and Savannah Varden assisted Gomes with the auctioneering, introducing the various items. Elsayed and Rose even tried their hand at auctioning off a few big ticket items.

To learn more about how to support the Deca program visit www.warehamdeca.com.