Innovation Financial Management, Securing a Sustainable A.C.C.
The Anglican Cathedral College held an open day showcase for its enterprising students. They showed off the creations they made to observe the theme, “Innovation Financial Management Securing a Sustainable ACC.” The students used recyclable materials, garden produce and other innovative materials. News Five stopped by the fair to find out more about the students’ innovative creations.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
The Anglican Cathedral College in Belize City held its annual Science and Business Fair today. Third and fourth form students were tasked to come up with a product or service that the school can use.
Janine Longsworth
Janine Longsworth, Head, ACC Business Department
“This year we took a very different approach to the average business fair. We decided that we wanted to see how our students could come up with innovative ideas for the school itself. They always say if you are going to build, make sure that your home is built well. While you may think that some of that you have seen before, these students have put their own individual twist on it. One of the things I particularly like is that these students will actually keep these things on the compound to be used through-out the remainder of the year.”
The products include apparel such as T-shirts and headbands; key chains, purses and other Belize branded goods; food items such as jams and jellies; furniture, pet beds, coin purses and floor mats made from recyclable materials. The students worked together in small groups to create the items for sale.
Erica Bardalez
Erica Bardalez, Student, ACC
“Our team decided that we wanted to do tie-dye T-shirts because we decided we wanted to be very outstanding and creative. We decided that it was going to be something very good so that students can look at it and say that they want one.”
Andrea Polanco
“Is this something that you guys would like to do beyond ACC?”
Erica Bardalez
“Yes, ma’am, because it is something creative and pretty. I would love to wear it many times.”
Jasmine Juarez
Jasmine Juarez, Student, ACC
“Our products are basically made out of recycling things. The chairs are made out of pallets and the beds are made out of tyres. We just take recyclable things and used it for something very creative.”
Andrea Polanco
“What is the general message about what you guys have done here today?”
Jasmine Juarez
“Our message is that even when you have old things you can still use them to create something beautiful. You don’t just throw them away, you can create other things.”
Destiny Hulett
Destiny Hulett, Student, ACC
“The topic was that we were supposed to come up with a product or service that enhances our school and so our school produces watermelons in our garden. So, we decided to do watermelon jam which will be an alternative for the school’s source of income.”
Oshira Dennison
Oshira Dennison, Student, ACC
“The product we have made is stress ball. It is somewhat like a stress reliever. When you squeeze it, it relaxes your whole body. It relaxes your mind. We decided to make this because we know sometimes at school we have assignments or assessments that we get tired or stressed out about. So, we think it would be a very good idea for students to relax themselves.”
Longsworth says that while it is the first time some students have created a product or service, they can see opportunities beyond the walls of ACC.
Janine Longsworth
“We wanted to challenge our students and get to think beyond what the average entrepreneurs encounter. So, we have found that some of them are saying that this is something good that they can do outside of here. If you go around and look at the booths, some of the students come up with products that we can use for tourism and ACC is uniquely situated that we have tourists passing every day. So, it is definitely a market that students can capitalize on and the students will be using it.”
Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.
