High school students participate in SAGE Canada's first-ever regional competition at the Ted Rogers School of Management
On the left Andrea Belvedere, Founder of SAGE Canada, and Wendy Cukier, Associate Dean Academic of the Ted Rogers School of Management and SAGE faculty advisor, pose with SAGE judges the day of the event.
On May 23, 2009 Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) Canada held their first-ever Canadian Competition at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. Toronto high school students from Scarlett Heights Entrepreneurial Academy and Georges Vanier Secondary School participated in the inaugural event.
“SAGE is an international network that links teams of secondary school students to nearby university and college students, business leaders and civic leaders,” said Andrea Belvedere, president of SIFE Ryerson and founder of SAGE Canada. “The primary goal of SAGE is to advance youth entrepreneurship and community service around the world, emphasizing ethical business practices, social responsibility, civic engagement and environmental awareness. SAGE offers students not only the opportunity to make the world a better place, but also to compete on a regional, national and global level.”
Over the past term the students from Scarlett Heights raised funds by having bake sales, potlucks and volleyball games to fight world hunger – funds raised went to World Vision and local food banks. Students from Georges Vanier held a “So You Think You Can Dance Vanier” event, and sold grad products. Some of the profits from the event and their product sales will go to Free The Children. In working on their projects, students had to follow SAGE criteria and also produce an annual report.
“Students had an opportunity to learn valuable presentation skills, and other practical skills in terms of running a business,” said Gloria Yoon, a Business Studies teacher at Georges Vanier Secondary School and SAGE Team Vanier Advisor. “But most importantly they learned to share and contribute to school and community. SAGE provides hands on experience to make this world better.”
At the competition, students presented to a panel of judges showcasing their successes over the year. The Vanier Venturers were crowned Champions, while students from Scarlett Heights became the runners-up.
Yoon says she’d love to come back next year with her students to compete.
“Working with Ryerson students was an added bonus – it gave the chance for students to visit Ryerson and see what they are doing for their own learning at post-secondary level,” said Yoon.
“We are pleased to take the lead to bring SAGE to Canada,” said faculty advisor Wendy Cukier, Associate Dean Academic of the Ted Rogers School of Management. “SAGE fits well with Ryerson vision of management – focusing on both economic and social development.”
SAGE Canada was founded in October 2008. Three high schools signed up to participate this year, next year ten hope to participate.
