The energy was high in Temple University’s Charles Library on Wednesday, March 12, as students from The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) and Universal Audenried Charter High School eagerly gathered for the first-ever Klein College Mock Pitch (KCMP).
The competition, hosted by Klein College of Media and Communication, challenged student teams from local high schools to present advertising and public relations pitches to a panel of industry professionals and faculty members while offering them a firsthand look at what can be accomplished as a Klein College student and beyond.
The day began with greetings from host Cory Matthews, a senior advertising major, and a welcome from Dean David Boardman, who emphasized the importance of real-world learning experiences.
“Opportunities like this give students a chance to apply their creativity and critical thinking in a real-world setting, which is invaluable preparation for careers in media and communication,” Boardman said. “It’s so exciting to get all the talent in the room and expose them to opportunities at Klein.”
Before the competition, students heard from a panel of advertising and public relations majors who shared insights into their studies, motivations and career aspirations. The panelists noted the importance of continuing their education and personal growth despite obstacles and societal pressures.
“The plans change, but the goals stay the same,” said senior advertising student Laila Manigo. Manigo encouraged attendees always to consider various outcomes and focus on the result they want for themselves—something she accomplished when graduating high school with an associate’s degree.
The high school students then took the stage, delivering their pitches to representatives from Philly Pretzel Factory, the event’s client partner. Each team had to demonstrate strategic thinking, creativity and effective communication—skills crucial for careers in media and communication.
Assistant Professor of Instruction Stacey Harpster, the event founder, noted the significance of exposing high school students to hands-on and experiential learning.
“We really wanted to create an opportunity for Philadelphia teens,” Harpster said. Harpster is a parent to students within the Philadelphia public school district and saw an opportunity to use her position to lead teenagers into college and a career.
“There’s a real need to increase diversity in our industry and so we’re hoping that we can expose students from all backgrounds to this great, fun and exciting field,” she stated.
The pitches made a profound impact on the client representatives, who were deeply impressed by the students' ideas and the potential for real-world application.
“It gave me a new lease on creativity. Watching young students ideate, create and format techniques was refreshing,” said Hailey Rose Rymarowicz-Dipaul, KLN ‘23, a graphic designer for the Philly Pretzel Factory and a guest judge for the mock pitch.
After deliberation, the judges announced the winning team, CAPA’s Team Two, recognizing them for their originality and strategic approach. The students celebrated their achievements over lunch and a networking session with Klein College students and faculty.
“[The students] gained a lot of knowledge, not only the marketing aspect but also design and working as an advertising team,” Shawna Marchica stated. Marchica, a digital media production teacher at CAPA, organized and led the two CAPA teams.
For many participating students, the experience was their first glimpse into the fast-paced world of advertising and public relations. “We reviewed surveys, researched, created graphics and decks, all of the editing, and overall, it was a lot of fun,” said CAPA student Wyatt Wynne, a member of the winning group.
The students were unanimous in their belief that their hard work had paid off, and the collaborative experience had been immensely beneficial. “It wouldn't be possible without this team and having all of the creative ideas come together and produce this amazing result,” CAPA teammate Yashadi King proudly noted.
Matthews concluded the event by offering final insights to the future media and communication professionals: “Whether you win or lose in life, remember that experiences matter most and help you succeed.”
“Participating in the mock pitch allows students to showcase their presenting skills and create an entire pitch,” said Tina Matczak, the commercial advertising art and career technical education instructor at Universal Audenried Charter High School. “It’s a one-of-a-kind event for high school students.”
With a successful first competition in the books, Klein College looks forward to expanding KCMP, strengthening partnerships with Philadelphia high schools and continuing to prepare the next generation of media professionals.