A small crowd gathered in the cafeteria of Wareham High School on Sunday, March 24, there to bid on a wide range of desirable items. 

However, as auctioneer Honorary Colonel Phillip Gomes put it, “You’re not here for a deal — it’s about DECA. 

DECA is a high school club, part of an international organization that teaches students entrepreneurial skills through classwork and hands-on practice. 

The students and the skills they learned from DECA helped put the auction together. 

“Students reached out to area businesses, both local and franchise, and they asked for donations,” said Wareham DECA advisor Lisa Cunha. 

The business community gave back in force, leading to full tables of auction items. 

“This community is very generous, thankfully,” said Cunha. 

This is the second year DECA has held an auction as its fundraiser event. Cunha said this year’s auction exceeded last year’s, with more people in attendance and more money taken in. 

The next fundraiser on DECA’s calendar is a community yard sale where students will sell parking lot spots, she added. 

The fundraisers DECA undertakes help fund students’ participation in DECA programs, including state and international conventions.