More than 1,600 rubber ducks race in sixth annual Rubber Duck Derby at Soaring Eagle Waterpark


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Racing rubber ducks float down the lazy river at PR Central's sixth Rubber Duck Derby at the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel on Mar. 28. 

Students, parents and children lined the lazy river March 28 at the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel and waited for the rubber ducks to race down the river.

People cheered as a yellow duck took an early lead. A white duck was close behind, though, and was able to catch the yellow duck, which had some issues rounding a corner. 

As ducks crossed the finish line, the white duck came in with the victory.

The sixth annual Rubber Duck Derby was a collaboration between PR Central and the Soaring Eagle to raise money for Public Relations Students Society of America (PRSSA) at CMU. The money raised will be put into supporting PRSSA students with opportunities such as national public relations conferences, guest speakers, agency tours and scholarships.

More than 1,600 ducks shot out from the waterslide and found their way downstream. 

“We’ve sold more ducks than we’ve ever sold before,” said Rochester Hills senior Austin Cervone, vice president of PR Central. 

The group sold more than 1,600 ducks, with each duck costing $2. 

The winner of the race was 29-year-old Israel Perez from Grand Rapids. Perez said he was in disbelief when he won. He didn’t even know about the event before coming to the waterpark. Once he found out, he bought 10 ducks. 

Toledo, Ohio senior Kaylah Metcalf, PR Central CEO, said she was pleased with the outcome of this event. 

While Metcalf said that putting on the event did not cost a ton, the payment came in the form of manual labor. She said she put in more than 300 hours to organize this event. 

All students were required to sell at least 50 ducks, but that didn’t seem to be a problem for anyone. Cervone said this was a successful fundraiser because it was good for the college budget. Anyone could put forth $2 and had a change to claim $500. 

Cervone looked at the race as a “fresh take on a raffle.”

“It was a good way to integrate the kids into our organization,” Cervone said. 

Jim Wojcik, PR Central advisor and a journalism faculty member, said he was proud of his students. He said they were a fantastic group of students to work with.

“They’ve done everything that’s been involved with this event,” Wojcik said.

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