Hamilton High School students put their business lessons into action this homecoming season, creating and selling shirts that combined school spirit with hands-on marketing experience.
In Mrs. Madeline Gentile’s school store marketing class, students helped lead every step of the process for the 2026 homecoming shirts, from developing designs and choosing a favorite to promoting the finished product, making sales, and distributing orders.
“We had six different shirts that we chose from, and then we all took a vote on which one was best,” said sophomore Aliyah Pitsch.
Building on a project introduced last year, the assignment gave students an opportunity to experience the work that goes into bringing a product to customers.
“They created a design, they each sold at least 10, we marketed, did some social media ads, and then now they’re actually delivering and distributing,” Gentile explained.
The class sold more than 120 shirts, giving students a visible example of how their creativity and marketing efforts could connect with the Hamilton community.
Along the way, students connected classroom lessons about supply and demand, profit margins, and consumer preferences to an actual product. The project encouraged them to consider what customers want and how business decisions affect profitability. It's something the students continue to learn throughout the class by running the Hawk's Landing school store as well.
“You got to look at your consumers and see what they want,” Pitsch said.
For Gentile, the experience serves two purposes: helping students understand how a business operates while building pride in their school.
“One of the biggest things I want students to take away is the behind the scenes of the business, but also getting our school spirit,” she said.
By practicing business strategies in class, students gain experience they can carry into future jobs or entrepreneurial opportunities. Sophomore Autumn Flokstra said exploring businesses and potential careers has been a highlight of the course.
“It’s a fun class,” Flokstra said. “You guys should definitely take it.”