DECA Hosts First Ever PRHS Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving: the one day of the year where it is socially appropriate to stuff your face in a long awaited turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie feast. But at Park Ridge High School, food was not the only way to celebrate the holiday this year. Here in Park Ridge we celebrated Thanksgiving by running in a Turkey Trot – a short run that brings people together for a common cause.

On November 18, 2017, DECA hosted their first annual Turkey Trot, a 2K “fun run” where people could come out and either run or walk the distance. Tickets to participate were $5, but the proceeds supported something greater than the business-focused club.

All benefits from the event went to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Lisa Chestnutt, business teacher and DECA club advisor, stated, “Like any business organization, it is important for us to recognize social responsibility. Therefore, it was with that in mind that we decided to donate all of the proceeds to St. Jude’s.”  To to get people in the Thanksgiving spirit, DECA Executive Board member Anthony Battaglia dressed up as a turkey and blew the air horn to commence the event. While participants came to run and have fun, DECA members volunteered in different areas. Some of the jobs that needed to be fulfilled were directing the runners, working the sign in table, and working at the school store table.

The run included games like KanJam and corn hole, a kids’ craft table, a raffle basket and a chance to buy PRHS apparel; DECA members also manned a table overflowing with hot drinks and snacks. The course included laps around both the PRHS football field and Sulak field.

Despite the frigid weather, over one hundred people came out to support the cause and have some fun before Thanksgiving began. Many students came to have fun with their classmates, in addition to families from the elementary schools; they were a great addition to the event. Many administrators and staff members came out to support as well, including Principal Troy Lederman, Media Specialist Katie Haake, Spanish Teacher Ruth McIlhargy and Art Teacher Taline Gebhardt. Regarding their experience, Mrs. Haake joyfully exclaimed, “It was awesome. There was a great turn out, especially because it was the first time. We got a couple of teachers to do it together, which was so fun. I’d love to see them do it again next year.”

The run was a success and DECA was able to raise a total of $540 for St. Jude’s. The turnout has inspired both Mrs. Chestnutt and the DECA team to turn the event into a tradition that will carry on for many years to come. So next time Thanksgiving approaches, we hope you are not just thinking about turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, but also about DECA’s traditional Turkey Trot!