SCAP students submit award-winning business plans

Submitted by: Phil Giles - Entrepreneur Teacher

On June 8th, students from the “Introduction to Entrepreneurial Studies” course at SCAP were invited to attend a windup day for a business plan competition that they entered. Students from all high schools in the Rainy River, Kenora and Dryden area were invited by Northwest Business Center to submit business plans from which they would select the three best to receive cash prizes. Mr. Giles, the teacher, and the students decided that the plans that were written as a requirement for the course would be submitted to the competition. The competition was sponsored by, Fed Nor, Ministry of Northern Mines and Development, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the City of Kenora.

Eighteen students from SCAP, Mr. Giles and Mr. McBride traveled by bus from SCAP to Minaki Yurts, an outdoors adventure resort near Minaki. The drive was approximately three hours but we all felt it was worth it. Carmela Laffin from Northwest Business Center was the coordinator of the competition and had a full day planned for us. Students were treated to a day of fun group activities, zip lining, rock climbing and canoeing. They also provided us with some delicious meals and a grab bag for each student containing various items supplied by local businesses.

At the end of the day, we listened to several interesting speakers. Two of the speakers are local entrepreneurs - Rick Doucette from Q104 and Scott Green from Green Adventures. PhillyD is a motivational speaker from Winnipeg. Students were especially impressed by PhillyD’s inspiring and entertaining talk. We really enjoyed listening to the speakers while waiting for supper. After supper, the big moment arrived. Three prizes were available: $1000.00 first prize, $500.00 second prize and $250.00 third prize. In addition, several hundred dollars and other gifts would be awarded.

Much to our delight the winners of all three main prizes were awarded to three of our own students:

• Andrew Freisen won first prize of $1,000.00
• Brandon Olson won second prize of $500.00
• Kory DeGroot won third prize of $250.00

The judges were local business people from Kenora Area: Maria Keeping from the Lakewood Credit Union, Andrea Lundy from Scotia Bank, and Theresa Stevenson from Standard Insurance. They said they were very impressed by the quality of the plans submitted from the students of SCAP. The judge from the Lakewood Credit Union said the plans were of the same caliber or better than plans that adults submitted to her.

All in all we all had an excellent day and should be proud of another accomplishment of our students.