DeWitt teachers are working to get their most creative students invested in the community if hopes they'll find jobs, generate downtown activity and—with any luck—get them to stick around after graduation.
The DeWitt Creative Group (DCG) includes many different student organizations, including radio, creative writing, newspaper and the audiovisual club. 60 to 100 students participate in the group, which was founded in February, 2008.
“We’re working with the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) to try to put on more events that will attract more people downtown,” says Jason LaFay, a DeWitt High School teacher involved with the group. “We want to work with them to give students more opportunity to use their creativity in a way that helps local businesses.”
Local businesses are already getting involved with the DCG. The Record Lounge has agreed to let students produce a video advertisement.
“I think there’s so much potential for things like that,” LaFay says. “We’re trying to get something going in downtown DeWitt to draw in more retail and get more entertainment options. Maybe getting students to do something in their community will get them to stay here.”
Source: Jason LaFay, DeWitt High School
Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.
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