Dragons' Den Dumbbells Donation

Students were tasked with coming up with an idea that would improve the Shawnigan community, and one pair of students — Bryce M. and Coco A. — chose to upgrade some of the sports facilities. After consulting with Mr. Jeff Williams and Mr. Tim Murdy from the athletics department and doing their own research, the pair pitched the purchase of three 50-pound dumbbell sets and rack for the gym, as well as a dozen skates for recreational skating at the Charlie Purdey Arena. This month, thanks to the generous sponsorship of the SPA, that pitch was the first to materialize.

 

The presenters of the idea were two players in the ice hockey program — Bryce is still at the School, although Coco has moved on to pursue other opportunities in the sport — and what impressed Entrepreneurship and Marketing teacher Ms. Mariel Solsberg is that they wanted to upgrade the gym for everyone, even though the ice hockey program has its own fitness facility.

 

“It speaks to the whole thing I try to promote, which is that we are all part of a collective,” she said.

 

Another project that has received approval from the SPA is a social club that will put together student-initiated events on campus, operated jointly by the events team and new entrepreneurship classes. More details about that club are forthcoming.

 

Through these inquiry-based projects, students learn valuable skills that will benefit them for many years to come. The ability to go from the initial planning stages to researching and then presenting one's ideas can be utilized in so many ways throughout life. For these up-and-coming young entrepreneurs and marketers, the professionalism displayed and the experience gained during events like this are examples of how Shawnigan is preparing its students for the world outside its gates and aligning with the School’s strategic pillar of Inspiring Academic Excellence.