Students Create a Marketplace for Granting a Wish

More than 30 Westmont students are hoping their latest marketing strategy will raise enough capital to make at least one dream come true. Assistant Professor Carter Crockett’s marketing class is organizing a silent auction in hopes of sending a 14year-old Santa Barbara cancer patient to Disneyland. The auction will be held Thursday, April 27, at Bogart's Cafe, Last summer, Alyssa Smelley was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. She is the daughter of Russell Smelley, Westmont head track and cross country coach. Alyssa underwent radiation treatment and chemotherapy in the fall and has been unable to attend San Marcos High School. She will celebrate her 15th birthday next month and has asked to visit Disneyland with her family and friends.

The students are working with the Santa Barbara chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation to make Alyssa’s dream a reality. “We decided to help Alyssa by popular vote after taking into consideration many other options,” says student Jason Alexander. “Alyssa's wish was chosen because it is a cause that affects all the students and gives us the opportunity to help someone in our community and others like her.”

The students even came up with a marketing theme for the auction, “Dream for life. Wish for Alyssa.” The silent auction will feature jewelry, lessons, golf outings, professional portrait sittings and artwork. The Westmont music department has also donated four pianos with minimum auction bids ranging from $250 to $4,225 for a baby grand piano.

For more information please contact Crockett in the economics and business department at (805) 565-6182 or crockett@westmont.edu.