Addison students put on car show a class project

To make sure their business and marketing students get real-life experience outside the classroom, Addison Trail High School teachers Joe Mahoney and Jeff Laschinski put the teens in charge once a year.

So when the seventh annual Pop the Clutch car show comes to Addison Trail Sunday, Oct. 5, its success will ride on students' effort. For several months, a handful of students have been organizing car exhibitors, creating and handing out publicity fliers, soliciting raffle prizes, ordering trophies and more. They are all members of Business Professionals of America or of DECA, an association of marketing students.

"My goal was for us to do a little less and have the kids do a little more this year, so they get a dose of how it goes," Mahoney said.

The show grows a bit each year, with more than 60 cars on display last year outside of Addison Trail. Local car buffs show their treasures in eight categories: best import; best domestic car; best truck or SUV; best classic car; car with the best school spirit; best stereo; best in show and best junker. The event also includes DJ music, raffles for prizes like restaurant gift certificates and hotels stays, and food for purchase.

Mahoney said last year's event was his students' biggest show ever, and they are using that as the bench mark from now on.

"We're just going to try to keep doing what we're doing, and gaining a good reputation as a fun show is our goal," he said.

Proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Cancer Society. A small amount of the proceeds also will benefit DECA and the Business Professionals clubs for competition travel.

The students who spearhead this weekend's car show will write a paper on their project, which will be submitted for the state DECA conference this March in Decatur. While there, the students will give a presentation on the car show and hope to advance to the national competition in Anaheim, Calif., in April.

"We' love to make it to nationals, so we don't mind busting our tails on this a little bit," Mahoney said.

Pop the Clutch car show

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5

Where: Addison Trail High School parking lot, 213 N. Lombard Road

Cost: Free admission; $5 exhibitor fee

Details: Joe Mahoney at (630) 628-2606 or Jeff Laschinski at (630) 628-3369