Cape High business students adapt to COVID-19 changes

Adapting to changes caused by COVID-19 is just one more challenge Cape High’s business students are willing to take on, said new marketing teacher Kristen Jones, who advises Cape’s chapter of the Distributed Education Clubs of America.

“I am so happy to work here; it has exceeded my expectations,” Jones said. “This group of kids has made the transition easy. I’m very grateful to them. They have taken the initiative to make this successful and haven’t let remote learning be a barrier.”

Cape’s DECA club is accustomed to hard work and success; 43 students participated in the most recent state competition, earning 34 medals, and Cape students hold all state club officer positions. Students were unable to showcase their skills at the spring 2020 international competition, which was canceled due to COVID-19.

Senior Emily Racz, who serves as president for both Cape High and Delaware DECA, said the virus has made recruiting new members and meeting as a group difficult, so club leaders are relying on email, social media and Zoom to bridge the gap between hybrid and remote-only students.

“We’re trying to get freshmen interested,” Emily said. “Now, more than ever, it’s a great way to meet new people, especially for remote-only students who miss the social impact.”

Cape senior and DECA Co-President Molly Hudecheck said the virus is forcing the club to be even more creative with fundraising, including a new sneaker recycling program spearheaded by sophomore Austin Futty, who also serves as club director of human resources.

The sneaker fundraiser through gotsneakers.com is simple, Austin said; students and staff just drop off new or used sneakers in a box outside Jones’s classroom or by the school’s front door. Shoes can also be left at the Lewes Public Library during operating hours. 

New sneakers are donated to those in need, and used sneakers are recycled into rubber playground mulch, Austin said. The club receives up to $3 a pair, depending on the condition of the shoes.

“It doesn’t sound like much, but it all adds up,” Austin said.

DECA is holding a canned food drive to support local pantries through Sussex County’s Pack the Pod campaign and is assisting Lewes Chamber of Commerce with its seasonal visitor, Santa Claus, at his temporary Second Street home. 

“We say he’s being a role model social distancing,” Austin said.

“We tell kids Dr. Fauci said Santa can’t get COVID,”  Molly said.

Club members have been working closely with the chamber, promoting its Love, Lewes campaign through social media and serving as hospitality ambassadors to greet visitors and inform them about mask-wearing policies.

“We feel like we’re marketing Lewes,” Austin said. “We carry disposable masks around. It’s nice when people put them on.”

“It makes sense for the business club to work with the chamber,” Molly said. “It’s a good partnership.”

Partnerships with local businesses have even resulted in a job for Emily. Owners of Henlopen Trading Company, Deanna’s & Piccolino contacted the club for help with social media pages and ended up hiring Emily to work in the store.

Junior Dylan Roberts, Delaware DECA vice president of finance and Cape DECA director of finance, said he is focused on keeping students involved and growing the state club.

“The state competition will be virtual this year,” he said. “We’re just happy to have it at all.”