Syracuse – Through a marketing class project, Kosciusko County Animal Welfare League dogs and cats were able to get some love and play together at Wawasee High School Wednesday.
Two of them ended up being adopted through this event.
Four dogs and three cats were brought to the high school, and Tina Schumacher, WHS assistant director of career and technical education, said the animals are a mix of long-time AWL animals and new animals. He said he is doing so.
Some areas of the high school were quarantined Wednesday. Students were able to walk their dogs on leashes, play with the dogs and cats, and give them treats. AWL volunteers were also on site.
Wawasee student Mackenzie Michael said people were able to pick up paperwork to get more information about AWL.
“We wanted to start off by doing something for Valentine's Day and showing some love and stuff, so we thought it would be a good idea to bring in some animals to show that.” , Michael said, as well as raising awareness of the adoption process. He said.
Schumacher said the goal of the project is to plan the event and do all the marketing behind it. This project had to focus on social media, which is part of the class curriculum. So the event was promoted through social media, and students in the class became “school influencers.” They named this day “Pink Day” and encouraged everyone to wear pink.
Student Grady Maroney said hosting the event allowed students to learn how to run and promote an event, as well as what to do if something goes wrong. He said students were able to incorporate what they learned in lectures and classes into the delivery of Wednesday's event.
During the event, AWL also promoted adoption, volunteering, and foster care opportunities. A donation box was also set up at Wednesday's event, and about $20 was raised.
Many adjustments were made, including consideration and support for the high school's cafeteria staff, where Maroney and student Madison Greer delivered hot chocolate and donuts.
AWL Executive Director Tonya Blanchard told Schumacher that a parent who stopped by AWL after work Wednesday adopted one of the cats brought to WHS, and a grandparent adopted one of the dogs.
“Our goal was to do one adoption, and right away we had two,” Schumacher said.
Greer said she thought the project was all about giving back to the community and showed that Valentine's Day is not just about spending time with your loved ones, but showing your love for animals. .
Schumacher said because Valentine's Day isn't necessarily a great time for everyone, “we named it Pink Day,” which started the conversation about the idea for the event.
Schumacher told Blanchard he felt this could become an annual event, and Blanchard seemed to be on board with that idea. But Schumacher hasn't promised anything, he said.
Schumacher said that while Wednesday's event focused attention on the community, there was also a lot to learn about the content of the event, noting that “you can market a lot without selling anything.” The students were able to successfully market the needs that exist in the world through social media.
