Wareham High School DECA students gather for a group picture with advisor Lisa Cunha and auctioneer Colonel G. Phillip Gomes while working the 2024 Dinner and Auction. (Photo Courtesy Wareham Public Schools)
WAREHAM — Superintendent Matt D’Andrea and Principal Scott Palladino are excited to announce that Wareham High School’s DECA Chapter plans to hold its 45th annual Lunch & Auction Fundraiser on March 23.
Business/Marketing Teacher and DECA Advisor Lisa Cunha said the high school student members of the Wareham DECA chapter are determined to continue the legacy of the organization’s 44 prior “legendary” auctions.
Wareham High School DECA will host the 45th Annual Lunch & Auction from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, in the Wareham High School Cafeteria.
“This auction fundraiser has been a great learning experience, and it has been really exciting to watch everything come together in the classroom,” said senior club member Maria Vilas Boas. “It has been a privilege to be a co-lead on this fundraiser for two years in a row.”
Wareham DECA is an organization and extra-curricular club at Wareham High School that prepares emerging entrepreneurs and leaders in management, marketing, finance, and hospitality. DECA applies skills learned in the classroom to real-world business scenarios. All proceeds of the auction go directly to students to help defray the costs of competitive events and conferences.
“I’ve been at every auction for the last five years, starting with my eighth-grade year when we had the auction outside in the parking lot due to COVID,” said senior Charlotte Roy, the WHS DECA President. “Each year, I see the tremendous amount of effort put into organizing the auction in the weeks, days, and hours leading up to the event. This year, we have a ton of great auction items up for bid, and we hope to have an even bigger turnout!”
The event will include a silent auction, a live auction, and a rollies auction. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on items donated by local businesses and community members in the silent and live auctions. Two different lunch options will be served.
Big-ticket auction items will include Celtics tickets, a signed Will McGinest Jr. jersey, Providence Bruins tickets, New England Revolution tickets, Patriots preseason game tickets, a Yeti cooler and accessories (a $300 value), and much, much more.
“Last year was my first year in DECA, and the auction was my biggest fundraiser,” said junior club member Priscilla Ross. “It brings many different kinds of people together with different interests to all help support our club. I am excited for this year because we have a lot more big-ticket items, and last year was a lot of fun.”
Auctioneer Phillip “The Colonel” Gomes, a 1968 Wareham High School graduate, will once again return to lend his skills to the annual auction.
“He has generously volunteered his time over many years and has become a well-known and favored auctioneer in our community,” said DECA Advisor Cunha.
Admission to the event is $8, which includes a meal of lasagna with a garlic roll or Mexican chicken served with rice and beans. Attendees can purchase tickets from their favorite DECA members, at the door, or by emailing Cunha at lcunha@wareham.k12.ma.us. Be sure to follow Wareham DECA on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok for updates on the auction fundraiser.
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Attendees browse live auction items at the 2024 Dinner and Auction. (Photo Courtesy Wareham Public Schools)
Auctioneer Colonel G. Phillip Gomes announcing donated items during the 2024 Dinner and Auction. (Photo Courtesy Wareham Public Schools)
Auctioneer Colonel G. Phillip Gomes in action during the 2024 Dinner and Auction. (Photo Courtesy Wareham Public Schools)
DECA members Sienna (left) and Maria (right) showcasing a donated handmade quilt at the 2024 Dinner and Auction. (Photo Courtesy Wareham Public Schools)
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