Above: The community is invited to enjoy “eclectic” fashion representing individual styles, while supporting a club that helps students with and without intellectual disabilities develop “lifelong business skills”. (image of cropped flyer)
Next week, “Algonquin comes alive with style!” The high school’s Inclusive DECA Program is holding a fashion show as a fundraiser a week from Thursday.
The public is invited to join them for a fashion show on March 30th, 6:00 pm at ARHS (79 Bartlett Street, Northborough):
Experience a runway show of eclectic outfits individually chosen by Inclusive DECA students to showcase their personal style with support from club advisor Zbysia Giegucz, their peers, and members of the Algonquin Fashion Club.
Admission is $8 at the door. There will also be a concession table with “light refreshments”. Money raised will support the continuation of Inclusive DECA. (Attendees are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to support community food banks.)
A press release describes Inclusive DECA as a self-funded business club for students with and without intellectual disabilities:
Students learn the basics of business processes such as interview skills, marketing, inventory control, working in groups, money management, and so much more with hands-on activities to create products and plan events. The ultimate goal is for students to learn lifelong business skills that they will carry over to future jobs after they leave Algonquin.
Putting on the event is about much more than just raising funds for the group:
“Every year we set up a different type of business for the kids to be involved in from start to finish,” said Ms. Giegucz. “In past years we have created a business model to make and sell items, but this year I wanted to do something different with them. A fashion show event lets them showcase what they have been learning about, such as appropriate dress for job interviews and other events. Over the years, it has been exciting to see how working on these business projects and events brings out the potential in each student and helps them figure out what skills they are good at. And most of all, they have fun!”
