Despite having existed in Wareham since 1974, the Distributive Education Clubs of America program at the High School has not had an alumni network – until now.

On Nov. 28 at 2 p.m., the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) program will hold its first alumni networking event at the Rosebrook Marriott Hotel. Organizer and program co-advisor Cindy Sylvia said the idea has been in the works for several years.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to have a networking event for all the kids that have come through the program,” Sylvia said. “This year, thanks to a lot of different places, we are making it happen.”

Sylvia said she wants the hundreds of students who have gone through the DECA program to have a network of people they may call on, when doing anything from looking for a job or internship to getting advice from a seasoned professional.

“I am trying to create an opportunity for kids to share and grow, even if they are out of the program,” Sylvia said. “From business to theatre to medical, they are a diverse group of people who deserve a networking place.”

But Sylvia found she is only Facebook friends with about 355 of the program’s current and former members. In an effort to avoid excluding those who do not use social media, or those to whom she is not connected, she set her students to work tracking down former Wareham DECA members.

“I have kids doing marketing research, looking up old yearbooks, sending emails, and building a DECA alumni Facebook page,” Sylvia said. “Like everything we do, it’s a learning opportunity for them.”

Sylvia said she hopes at least 125 people will attend the event, and that 72 people have already bought tickets. Tickets may be bought at the High School, emailing Cindy Sylvia at csylvia@wareham.k12.ma.us, or filling out an online form.