February 8, 2021
K-State Sales Program hosts inaugural virtual high school sales competition
One hundred and seventy-five students from high schools across Kansas competed in the first high school elevator pitch competition hosted by the National Strategic Selling Institute.
In the freshmen/sophomore division: Joy Yan, Blue Valley North High School, placed first; Graison Harms, Shawnee Mission East High School, placed second; and Abby Taylor, Blue Valley High School, placed third. In the junior/senior division: Sydney Williams, Shawnee Mission East High School, placed first; Ava Moore, Blue Valley High School, placed second; and Aislinn Sulivan, Shawnee Mission East High School, placed third.
The Elevator Pitch Competition was hosted virtually and required students to submit a one-minute video pitching themselves. The event helps Kansas DECA members prepare for their 2021 competition season by developing the skills necessary to introduce themselves and their ideas in a clear, concise, and comfortable manner. Competitors were evaluated on their achievement, involvement, delivery of their ideas and closing. Winners received Visa gift cards for placing in the top three in their division.
"This was such a great opportunity for high school students to showcase their skills in a virtual event and gain experience for their upcoming DECA competitions," said Kellie Jackson, managing director of the National Strategic Selling Institute. "The current sales students that assisted in judging the videos were very impressed with the students' submissions. We would like to congratulate them again on a job well done and thank everyone for participating. As one of the top sales programs in the country, we look forward to hosting other similar events in the future to help prepare high school students for college success."
The following high schools participated in the competition: Atchison High School, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, Olathe South, Saint James Academy, Shawnee Mission East and Wichita South.
The National Strategic Selling Institute is part of the College of Business Administration and has been named one of the top sales programs in the country for nine straight years by the Sales Education Foundation. In fall 2018, Kansas State became just the 19th university in the U.S. to offer a major in sales. Students can also earn a certificate in professional strategic selling, which is open to all majors at the university. The professional strategic selling program introduces students to the fundamentals of sales and the innovative curriculum and sales labs allow students to develop the skills needed to be successful.
For more information on the National Strategic Selling Institute or its events, please contact kstatesalesprogram@k-state.edu.