Crisis Text Line Benefit Festival: So Much More than a Capstone

By: Dulce Morales & Giovanna Saccoccio

You might hear your capstone advisors say, “You can do whatever you want to do for your capstone.” Rebecca Duke, a senior in the Bandier Program for Music and the Entertainment Industries, took this advice to heart.

Rebecca used her Crown Award to organize and bring to life the Crisis Text Line Benefit Festival, which will be held at Funk ‘n Waffles in downtown Syracuse on October 25. Proceeds will be donated to Crisis Text Line, a non-profit organization that provides 24/7 counseling services via text message.

Rebecca’s goals for her Capstone, titled Crisis Text Line Benefit Festival: An Applied Study in Event Planning and Practice, were to hone her event planning and promoting skills with a real-life, hands-on experience that she had complete control over. Rebecca also valued raising money for a great cause, suicide prevention.

Rebecca believes that, without her Crown Award, she would have not been able to put on a grand, real-life event with international performers and involving the entire Syracuse community. Funding will also allow her to donate the entirety of the proceeds to Crisis Text Line, without having to depend on ticket revenue.

Rebecca’s advisor, Ulf Oesterle, was an incredible help in the planning process. Oesterle helped her connect with local promoters and venue owners, who suggested strategies of how to succeed in the Syracuse market.

As for what advice she would give to future Honors Capstone students, Rebecca recommends to stay on top of things and not relax too much if something goes well. She also suggests dreaming big, and always relying on your Capstone advisor or Honors advisor.

Do you like waffles, music, and helping others? Take a break and come support Rebecca at the Crisis Text Line Benefit Festival on October 25! Join headliner Laura Stevenson and opener Cat Clyde at Funk N’ Waffles in downtown Syracuse for a night of fun. All proceeds go to Crisis Text Line.

For more information about how Crown Awards can help turn your ideas into reality, visit the Funding section on our Honors website.