CAMPAIGN OVER- 2015-SOPH YEAR

Caroline Tapp Brandhagen is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Dear Family, Friends, and Business Owners,

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

This past weekend (March 5th), I competed at the State DECA Competition in Virginia Beach, VA as part of a 3-person team. Our category is "Entrepreneurship Promotion Project."

Competing in the State Competition required a lot of preparation and research. Our topic was how to encourage and motivate students to get excited about entrepreneurship - or "Think Different." We took our project to the practical level and had to teach entrepreneurship to the Marketing and Introduction to Business classes at Stone Bridge High School and 8th Graders at Trailside Middle School. Our project also included a 30-page research paper and designing professional, presentation boards. We wanted to make sure our presentation at States stood out from the rest! We were successful!

We are moving onto ICDC (International Career Development Conference), or the National/ International Competition in Nashville, TN April 22-26th. This is an amazing opportunity that I worked very hard for. Over 10,000 students internationally "demonstrate their college and career knowledge and skills by participating in DECA's Competitive Events Program...hoping to be named an international champion."

Unfortunately, the school does not fund our trip, and we are individually responsible for our travel, shuttles, hotel, food, and professional attire. The cost is approximately $1200 per student, so I am humbly looking for sponsors.

I appreciate your generosity and am extremely grateful for your support in helping send me to Nationals! Ialso appreciate any business advice you would like to share!