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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Students Test Drive Entrepreneurial Venture
Rebeca Farache and Sydney Glicksman, both grade 10, and Jordan Gutt, grade 12
University School partners with Junior Achievement to empower its students with business and economic education. Twenty one Upper School students are participating in the JA Fellows Company Program, an 18-week entrepreneurship program that provides high school students with an understanding of economics through real-world experiences in business and leadership. In this brief period of time, the team of student entrepreneurs will conceptualize, capitalize, manage, and ultimately liquidate their own small business.
At weekly, after school meetings held in the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship students meet with community business professionals who volunteer to teach them the key concepts of running a business. The USchool team has been mentored by Violet Nikolichi Lowery of A Plus Professional Resumes, Joe Schumacker of SpareZ Bowling, and David and Leslie Barclay of B4 Capital, LLC. The learning activities have included creating Alpha Innovations, a company that makes trendy T-shirts for teens. The student-led company also developed a business plan, elected officers, sold stocks, and has been actively selling T-shirts.
The competitive component of the JA Fellows Company Program gave the University School team, which is competing locally against teams from three other high schools, the opportunity to pitch their products to local investors at a “Shark Tank” type event for financial support to run their businesses. Alpha Innovations produced T-shirts featuring three original designs which have sold out proving the company’s entrepreneurial success. Additionally, Alpha Innovations developed the company’s charitable division by creating stickers labeled #TEAMCARNAGGIE which were sold to raise funds on behalf Anthony Carnaggie, Ph.D., a University School Middle School math teacher who was recently diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma, a grade III brain tumor. All proceeds from the sale of the stickers, a total of $400, will go directly to support Carnaggie win his battle against cancer.
The four local teams will also compete at the 2015 Annual Competition to be held in March at the JA World Huizenga Center. To prepare for this event, Alpha Innovations will complete the company’s liquidation and approve the annual report. Teams will proudly present the results of their hard work and commitment before JA judges in team competitions that include awards for Company Annual Report, Trade Booth Display, and Stage Presentation among others. Individual competitions include Outstanding Young Business Person and Best Sales Pitch. The winning team will move to the next round of competition to be held in Washington D.C. this summer for a chance to be named North American JA Student Company of the Year.
For more information about University School, please call (954) 262-4506 or visit us online at www.uschool.nova.edu/admissions.