Chicagoland Teams Up With Local High School to Form Partnership

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Chicagoland Speedway, along with teachers and students from Joliet Township’s two high schools – Central and West – are proud to announce the details of the BenchMark Project. The BenchMark Project is a yearlong curriculum program where students from each school will have the opportunity to be mentored by Chicagoland Speedway employees as they embark on the 2011-12 project.

“We have had a great relationship with Joliet Township High School for several years and the BenchMark Project allows us to enhance this relationship by providing students with real life work experience,” said Scott Paddock, president of Chicagoland Speedway. “This year long project will provide students with the opportunity to explore their professional interests while also learning to work in a team environment with their peers – executing a true business venture.”

Patterned after the successful programs such as Cows on Parade, the BenchMark Project will feature teams from both Joliet Township High School Central and Joliet Township High School West. Each school will produce 15 benches, all involving themes found within the local community and the motorsports world. The project will allow students to work on various sides of the business including bench production, creative design, charity outreach, budget management, business and sponsor development along with a social media campaign.  The students will sell the benches to local businesses and organizations with all proceeds going to the student’s charity of choice.

“This is just an awesome experience to be a part of,” said Andrew Fiday, a student at Joliet Township High School Central. “Not only are we going to get work on this fun project but we’ll be able to give back to charity at the same time.”

At the conclusion of the project in May 2012 Chicagoland Speedway will host an event at the track honoring the student’s hard work and unveiling the 30 benches (15 benches from Central, 15 benches from West) to the public. The benches will remain on the grounds of Chicagoland Speedway for the ‘12 season for fans and the local community to enjoy. At the conclusion of the ’12 racing season the benches will be returned to each sponsor.

“Chicagoland Speedway has shown great leadership in developing the BenchMark Project in partnership with Joliet Township,” Dr. Cheryl McCarthy, superintendent of Joliet Township High School. “Our educators have already become very involved in making this concept work and we have seen tremendous interest from our students.  Partnering with the business community in such creative ways is critical at this time and will have a very positive impact on our kids.”

Chicagoland Speedway PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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