KAYSVILLE — A few of Davis High School’s advanced marketing students have donated time and energy to give children with Down Syndrome something to look forward to each month this school year.

The activities began with a tour from professional BMX bikers. Students and Foundation members received the opportunity to get to know the bikers and talk with professional athletes. In October, the activities continued with a Halloween dance. Then students planned to take their friends from the Foundation bowling. The activities will continue through February.

“My favorite part is really getting them to open up and talk,” said Davis High School advanced marketing student Tanner Webb.

Webb said a service project is part of the requirements for advanced marketing, and this year’s group wanted to do something unique. The idea came when one of Webb’s classmates, Michael Arnold, talked about a sister with Down Syndrome.

“We just thought it would be nice to give them the chance to get out, and even give their parents a break,” said Webb.

The service project began in late September. Webb and other students sat down together to plan various activities for children from the Foundation as well as their parents. Once it began, other clubs became involved as well. Webb said the DECCA and FBLA clubs got involved as extra-curricular activities.

“The marketing aspect of this was getting students involved,” said Webb.

Part of his job was to get the word out to those within the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation about their activities. Most of the activities were open to people from age 3 to age 25. Webb and his fellow students also had a job of getting sponsorship for bigger activities.

After the BMX bikers came to the school, football games became the main activity until a Halloween dance. Then students went bowling, and another Valentine’s dance will be held in February. Through all this, Webb, Arnold, Cameron Hurst, and others worked on getting sponsorship from Kohl’s clothing store.

Students brought in another aspect of marketing by walking through their neighborhoods, selling Advent calendars for funds. Through various club members, close to $800 was raised.

“What I’ve really learned is how to contact people and get them thinking about things,” said Webb. He plans to continue to college and would like to work for a sports team as a public relations official.

sroberts@davisclipper.com