Earlier this month, sophomore and junior Irving High marketing students got the opportunity to showcase their work on a grand scale. The men’s soccer team at Dallas College Richland Campus held a fun competition where business and marketing students had the opportunity to create game day graphics which were voted on by the soccer team. 

Alex Mainor (left) and Bri Guzman (right)

“The first 10 students to complete the assignment were entered into the competition, and the top two winners had their graphics posted to the Dallas College Richland men’s soccer team social media and received merch,” says Irving High Signature Studies Department Chair/Business and Marketing Instructor Katherine Knapp.

The winners of this competition were Alex Mainor (junior) and Bri Guzman (sophomore).

Designed by Alex Mainor

Designed by Bri Guzman

All students from the sophomore and junior marketing classes were invited to the school’s October 6 game against the Dallas College Mountain View Lions. After the game, students were able to meet the players, ask them questions about college and take photos and videos for future marketing material. We sat down with two students, Cristina Cruz (junior) and Juan Carlos Betancourt (sophomore), from the social media marketing course to get their thoughts on this recent experience. 

“This assignment was very creative and fun,” says Betancourt. “My favorite part was getting the chance to meet and talk to the soccer players and coaches.”

Cruz took photos for social media and hyped up the crowd during the game. 

“When you’re in social media marketing, you have to be outgoing so I wanted to make it fun,” she added. 

From left to right: Juan Carlos Betancourt, Katherine Knapp and Cristina Cruz

The business and marketing program is just one of many Irving ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings. Students enrolled are able to explore careers in these industries while gaining real-world experience. For students like Cruz and Betancourt, it has drastically improved their skillset. Both students credit the program for helping them gain better communication skills and build friendships.

“By being involved in programs like this, it helps make school fun,” says Cruz. “It’s fun to be a part of something.”

For Knapp, it’s moments like this that make it all worth it. 

“It’s so exciting watching the lesson come to life and for the students to see their hard work pay off,” she says. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the business and marketing program, visit IrvingISD.net/SignatureStudies.