HHS students get their ducks in a row for April charity race

by Judy Stringer

Nearly 11,000 rubber ducks are expected to race down the Cuyahoga River later this month as part of a multi-district partnership that provides juniors – including five from Hudson High School – hands-on experience in event planning, marketing and fundraising.

The April 27 Ohio Rubber Duck Dash and Duck Hunt is organized and hosted by EntrepreNew Pathways, a two-year program open to Hudson students through its membership in the Six District Compact, which also includes Stow-Munroe Falls, Cuyahoga Falls, Tallmadge, Kent Roosevelt and Woodridge high schools. 

Woodridge High School teacher Emily Kilgore, instructor for EntrepreNew Pathways, said the program was created with a grant from the Hudson-based Burton D. Morgan Foundation and aims to help students “create a self-sustaining, long-term business.”

Hudson High School senior Nolan Baughman (second from left) helped orchestrate the inaugural Rubber Duck Dash as a junior last spring. Baughman said the experience taught him the value of “connections” and confirmed his desire to pursue a business degree in college. Photo submitted. 

“Last year when we were looking around [for] what could be a viable long-term source of revenue, we began to think about the former Rubber Duck Race, which took place on the Cuyahoga River in Cuyahoga Falls in the ’80s,” she said. “Although there’s been little events here and there, the Rubber Duck Race has never really been brought back. … It seemed like something that would allow our students to work with small businesses, bring people to the area to support those small businesses and also provide a fundraising opportunity for the program.”

The inaugural Ohio Rubber Duck Dash launched from Cuyahoga Falls Water Works Park last April. Kilgore said students that year sold 5,000 numbered ducks to individuals and businesses, who “adopted” the ducks that raced their way along Water Works’ section of the Cuyahoga.    

This year, the goal is to send 10,800 rubber ducks on that journey.  

“I’m pretty sure we will have more than that,” said Hudson junior Will Ray, “because we have a lot of giveaways, prizes.” 

The first duck to cross the finish line earns its owner $1,000. Other prizes include Cleveland Cavaliers tickets, Cedar Point passes and a VIP package for the Akron Rubber Ducks, one of this year’s title sponsors. 

And along with greater duck sales, Kilgore and her students hope to double or even triple the 2024 attendance of 1,200 people. They’ve added a Waddle Race one-mile run with prizes for the best costume and other family-friendly activities, such as live music, games, bouncy houses and food trucks. 

New promotional efforts include duck sales at Akron Rubber Duck games in April and three 12-foot ducks that will tour around the Six Compact communities. Look for them behind the library on Village Way and at Ellsworth Hill Elementary and McDowell Early Learning schools until April 7. Families are encouraged to find the ducks, snap photos and share them on social media, tagging their city and the event, @ohiorubberduckdash.

Experiential learning                                  

While the Duck Dash itself is playful and silly, Ray and his Hudson peers said planning has been no joke. Students are charged with every aspect of the process from cold calling businesses to market sponsorship opportunities and selling ducks to budgeting for the event and securing day-of entertainment. 

Emerson English said having to meet company owners in person taught him “that like 99% of making a business successful is going out and actually talking to people.”

Zeynep Mutlu said she’s learned about the importance of being professional, having a good sales pitch and being persistent.

“You can’t expect other people to reciprocate the energy you have of wanting them to sponsor you. So, you have to keep reaching out. If you don’t follow-up, it’s likely they won’t do it,” she said. 

Sarah Radcliff added that the experience has made her more comfortable with rejection. 

“I’ve come to realize it’s not the end of the world. You can just move on the next one,” Radcliff said. 

Liberty Simmons shared the value of learning to work both independently and as part of a team, while Ray reflected on the insights and skills he gained using AI to help draft social media promotions. 

“We also created our own chat bot within ChatGPT,” he said. “We filled it with all the information on the Ohio Rubber Duck Dash, so that we can ask it questions about the event and get quick answers.”The Duck Dash takes place Sunday, April 27, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at Waterworks Park, 2025 Munroe Falls Ave., in Cuyahoga Falls. Ducks hit the water at 2 p.m. Visit ohiorubberduckdash.com to purchase your flock or for more information.

Photo caption:

 Hudson High School students (l-r) Will Ray (11th grade) , Emerson English (11th), Nolan Baughman (12th), Sarah Radcliff (11th), Zeynep Mutlu (11th) and Liberty Simmons (11th) are part of an entrepreneurship career technical class putting on the event. Photo submitted