Lasalle student heads to National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition

A Grade 12 Aboriginal student from Lasalle Secondary School will showcase his business plan at the 8th annual E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition in Regina, Saskatchewan May 11 to 15, 2008.

Lyndsay Brisard’s work was selected from submissions from across Canada. He will now have the opportunity to present his business plan to a panel of judges. He will also set up a trade show booth as part of the event. "Being chosen to participate nationally is quite a tribute to this accomplished student," says Lasalle Secondary School Principal Craig Runciman. "Lyndsay Brisard is a true inspiration and role model for all students who dedicate their energy and passion towards their goals."

The business plan competition, organized by BDC, offers participants 16 weeks of interactive business planning resources, access to mentors online, and a chance to meet and network with other students, online, and in person at the national competition. More than 200 Aboriginal students from across Canada take part in the event. In addition to presentations, an independent panel of experts judge business displays that include posters, detailed 3D mock-ups, product samples, business cards, promotional videos and laptop demonstrations.

Lyndsay Brisard developed a Summer Event Ride Program (S.E.R.P.), a spin off of the popular Red Nose campaign presented during the festive season. "If you are hosting a special event during the summer, such as a golf tournament, you could hire the S.E.R.P. team to drive guests and their vehicles home," says Business teacher and mentor Leo Leclair. "The team of drivers would be available on site, co-ordinated by a S.E.R.P. representative in an effort to prevent guests from potentially drinking and driving."  A fee, based on the number of guests, would be charged to the event organizer and the service would be free of charge to the guests.

Leclair says the Summer Event Ride Program offers many benefits. "The event organizer not only has the satisfaction of knowing that participants have a safe way of getting home, they also eliminate the potential for liability issues that may come from a guest driving home under the influence."

In addition to the E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition, Lyndsay Brisard will compete in the local FedNor Business challenge at Tom Davies Square on June 3rd. He also plans to submit his business plan in the Ontario Business Educators Association Provincial Entrepreneurship competition in May.

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Media Contact:

Craig Runciman, Principal, Lasalle Secondary School,
Rainbow District School Board, 566.2280.