Students capture top honours at Entrepreneurship Fair

A number of students from Rainbow Schools captured top honours at the 12th Annual Northern Ontario Visions Project Tradeshow presented by Rainbow District School Board, the Learning Initiative and the Regional Business Centre on June 5th, 2008. Some 80 young entrepreneurs gathered at the Southridge Mall to present and promote their innovative businesses.

Tradeshow participants were vying for a number of awards – Best Presentation, Best Business Plan, Best Product and Best Service.  The young entrepreneurs also voted amongst themselves for who should receive the coveted "Young Entrepreneur Award". A panel of judges from the business community evaluated the displays. As part of the evaluation, judges looked at how effectively students presented their products and/or services.

And the winners are….

Best Presentation

1st place – Magica Personality Stones
Maggie Sheehan and Erica Conlin, Grade 7, Copper Cliff Public School

2nd place – Zabest Colognes and Perfumes
Zachary Czaja and Adam Ferris, Grade 7, George Vanier Public School

3rd place – P2
Izzy Ahrbeck and Rozzy Deisinger, Grade 8, MacLeod Public School

 
Best Business Plan

1st place – TES (Total Entertainment Solutions)
Carson Barr, Grade 8, MacLeod Public School

2nd place – T.A. Goop
Trevor Aelick, Grade 7, George Vanier Public School

3rd place – Zabest Colognes and Perfumes
Zachary Czaja and Adam Ferris, Grade 7, George Vanier Public School

Best Product

1st place – Everything Inukshuk
Dax Law, Grade 8, MacLeod Public School

2nd place – Bermuda Bargains
Bryston Connelly, Grade 8, MacLeod Public School

3rd place – Chocolate Factory
Jessica Boggs and Drew Glenn-Robinson, Grade 8, Pinecrest Public School

Best Service

1st place – Les drôles photos de Fred et Joe
Danielle Provencher et Kristina Galipeau, Grade 7, Carl. A Nesbitt Public School

2nd place – H & S Tattoos
Harserrat Guraya and Hiba Ahmed, Grade 8, MacLeod Public School

3rd place – TES (Total Entertainment Solutions)
Carson Barr, Grade 8, MacLeod Public School

Young Entrepreneur

Pets in Style
Bailey Kay and Tiah Martel, Grade 8, Levack Public School
Note: Students raised over $400 through Pets in Style
and are donating their proceeds to the SPCA.

Honourable Mentions:
    
Kiss and Tell
Taylor Fratin and Alyssa Dube, Grade 7, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School
       
Entreprises illuminaires
Rachel Belanger, Grade 7, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School
 
Rock n’ Art
Allyson Sheppard, Grade 8, Churchill Public School

The 50 businesses showcased were as varied as the students’ imaginations, resulting in a spectacular display of creativity and innovation. "The Northern Ontario Visions Project Tradeshow gave students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be an entrepreneur by creating and running a business," said Ron Hodkinson, Chair of the Visions Committee that organizes the annual event on behalf of Rainbow District School Board.  "Students developed and implemented business plans," he added.  "In the process, they learned all about marketing, including products, pricing, placement and promotion."

The tradeshow was the culminating event for students who have completed entrepreneurship units or participated in school fairs. Participating schools included Carl A. Nesbitt Public School, George Vanier Public School, Levack Public School, Churchill Public School, Northeastern Elementary School, R.H. Murray Public School, Pinecrest Public School, Warren Public School, MacLeod Public School, Wanup Public School and Copper Cliff Public School.

The tradeshow provided an authentic learning experience for students, bringing the classroom curriculum to life in a dynamic way. Students learned about math through sales taxes, discounts and financial statements. They also create graphs as part of their market research.

From a language perspective, students gained oral and written communications skills by speaking with the public, selling their products and services, creating professional business plans, and developing business cards, websites, brochures and other promotional material. Students also honed their artistic skills by creating visually pleasing displays to attract customers.

Comprised of representatives from business and industry, the Visions Steering Committee was formed in 1996 to develop an entrepreneurship unit for teachers and students in Rainbow Schools.

-30-

Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.