Park
Center Senior High students win competition, plan to create business
If
you can find classroom 106 at Park Center Senior High early Friday mornings,
you will also find student entrepreneurs.
The 26 seniors enrolled in Advanced Placement Statistics at the school,
They continue to meet, making plans to incorporate their business: Pirate
Outfitters. Student Katie Horner said the business will sell clothing with the
school's mascot - the pirate - from a run-down gas station across the street.
The shop will also sell school-themed spirit items (such as beads and eye
patches), school supplies and pre-packaged foods.
Susan Hintz,
She said the school should help create a sense of belonging in the classrooms,
in schools, in businesses, in faith-based organizations, in civic groups and
more.
"What this class is doing is the way to achieve our mission," she
said. "We really want to have all eight communities come together and work
together for sake of children and their families."
Mathematics
teacher and project facilitator Ed Dillon, brought the
idea to create a business to the students as part of the Classroom of the
Future contest.
Dillon said the two months the students worked on the business plan for Pirate
Outfitters was exciting for him as a teacher.
"Over the past six to eight weeks I saw them light up with passion like
nothing else I have ever done in the classroom," he said.
More than 700 students and 30 business plans competed for the reward of a
$15,000 technology suite, given to the most viable and creative business idea.
Minneapolis-based Tierney Brothers, the business that created the competition,
will install an entire package of classroom equipment.
Dillon said the technology will help improve teaching and learning for AP
Statistics students and students of four other classes that use the room.
"Once installed, the classroom will be one-of-a-kind," he said.
Dillon said the students have also written a proposal for the district to
upgrade other features of the room, including the carpet, desks and paint.
The day after learning about the contest, student Matthew Herlofsky
received a fortune cookie with the message, "You have an important new
business development shaping up."
The students have embraced the fortune, and are on their way to establishing a
viable business by this spring.
Dillon said there is merit to their idea because they are proposing to operate
the business at the old gas station south of the school,
The current owner, Q.C. Energy, has filed for bankruptcy and has been unwilling
to let the students inspect the building.
It's a property the city is displeased with, Dillon said.
The students have a great plan, but there are a lot of issues with the site,
she said. The gas tanks need to be removed; if there is contamination, it needs
to be cleaned; and there may also be structural deficiencies,
The property also lies within the Village Creek area, which requires specific
architecture and design standards for redeveloped properties, she said.
"We would work with them and they have an understanding of that requirement,"
The students also need tenant improvement, mechanical, plumbing and sewer/water
permits. To sell snacks, they would need a pre-packaged food license.
"Establishing the business shouldn't be as complicated as the other issues
surrounding the property,"
Student Alex Scharber said students are approaching
the plan one step at a time and are speaking with a lawyer to help them through
the process.
The group still needs to write bylaws, become incorporated and file for
nonprofit or charity status, said student Brittany Rawson.
The target opening date, spring 2007, may not happen because of acquisition and
redevelopment problems with the site, and other
properties may also be evaluated, she said.
The gas station was chosen because of its proximity to the school and run-down
appearance, but it may not be the best option,
Start-up costs could also prevent the business from opening on time.
Dillon said "miracles need to happen" for the business to open by the
end of the school year, but that is the students' goal.
The business has received a $2,000 donation from the Student Advisory Council
and a large donation of Pirate T-shirts.
As another start-up income source, the business may also issue micro-loans for
$50 or $100, to be repaid once the business is making a profit, Alex said.
According to the plan, which included a complete first-year budget, the company
would repay a minimum of $1,000 in micro-loans each month.
Looking to the future, the students have planned for their profits will be
given to scholarships for volunteers and donations to the school and its
organizations based on proposals submitted to a board, which is yet to be
created.
There will be an open application process for the 30 positions on the board of
directors. The board will have six officers and will represent all 27 sports,
band, orchestra and drama booster clubs. The board
will decide how the profits will be spent,
For additional information on the AP Statistics class business proposal, to
volunteer time and expertise or to make a donation contact Ed Dillon at DillonE@District279.org.
Article reprinted courtesy of Brooklyn Park Sun