January 21, 2019

(Image above: members of team GOLDEN ZENF pose with the judges from the regional business pitch competition)

Rural schools throughout southern Alberta showcased their entrepreneurial mindset at the first regional business pitch competition at Medicine Hat College (MHC) on Jan. 18, 2019.

The event provided students who participated in the Rural Youth Entrepreneurship pilot project, with a chance to compete for cash prizes, tuition and bragging rights.

Team GOLDEN ZENF, from Foremost School took home first place and People’s Choice. Their group, consisting of grade 10 students Jessica Butterwick, Jordan Kurtzweg, Talynn Simanton and Heidi Walsh, impressed the judges with their mustard spread created by locally grown mustard seeds.

The runner up was Surpize Jam’z from South Central High School in Oyen who created customizable gifts in a jar.

“I feel relieved now that it’s over. We worked so hard on this project and it’s nice to be rewarded. It was good to use our creativity to help people and learn from the experience,” says Walsh. “I feel a little guilty winning both awards. Everyone did so well.”

The project, which was launched in 2018, is a partnership between the college and Prairie Rose School Division No. 8.

The purpose of the partnership is to provide students grades 10 to 12 at Eagle Butte High School, Foremost School, Senator Gershaw School and South Central High School an opportunity to learn the foundations of entrepreneurship while developing a business venture.

Christie Wilson, entrepreneur outreach coordinator with MHC’s Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC) has been traveling to the rural classrooms to educate students on topics such as: creating a product for a rural market, financial planning and marketing.

“I am so proud of the growth in all of these students. The products they pitched were not only really relevant for their areas, but of such a high caliber. It isn’t easy to get up in front of an audience, but they did and were so professional. They represented themselves and their communities so well.”

Reagan Weeks, assistant superintendent at PRSD8 says that the next phase of the project will be to sell their products in the Venture Store. The store combines both an e-commerce and physical location in which students will build it from the name, logo design and brand to the products that are available.

“It’s exciting to give our students the full entrepreneurial experience. Now they get to further their learning and make some money by selling their product in our storefront. It’s a great way to make an impact on their community and showcase their talents.”

This partnership has been made possible, due to the generosity of RBC.

For more information on the initiatives happening with PRSD8 visit: www.prrdweb.com.

If you are interested in entrepreneurship at MHC, visit www.mhc.ab.ca.