Members of the Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) Personal Finance 30 and Entrepreneurship 30 classes took to the Saskatchewan Business Teachers’ Association (STBA) Business Case Study competition in Saskatoon on May 3-4.
HCI teacher Paul Raycroft accompanied the six students to the competition.
The competition prepares students not only for post secondary education but also for real life, says Raycroft with students competing in two categories; personal finance and entrepreneurship.
Two HCI teams competed with Adam Eichorst, Joel Zimroz, and Desirae Therres competing as Personal Finance 30, and Branden Stumborg, Tyson Laduke, and Justin Berscheid competing as Entrepreneurship 30.
In the end, both teams would bring home a combined four awards, including third place wins in Business School of the Year and Personal Finance Case Study.
Students had three hours to look at a case study, develop a problem statement, and analyze the background for opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses to come up with a solution.
Groups then gave a 15 minute presentation to a panel of judges made up of Saskatchewan educators and professionals, says Raycroft.
For high school students who want to enter the field of business, this is the model they will be working on in the next four years, he says. Being able to work in a group and problem solve is going to be an important part of their post-secondary education and work environment if they chose the business field as a career.
“It’s just a life skill that is valuable,” he says.
HCI students earned a $1,000 renewable scholarship for their efforts at the competition. Raycroft also received his own award while he attended the Business Teachers’ Association’s conference with Raycroft receiving the Award of Merit for his dedication to teaching financial literacy.
Former SBTA President Connie Perrault says she has known Raycroft for a number of years as he has worked to expand business education at HCI.
This is the first year he was able to get financial literacy classes on the electives list for students and, considering how well his students performed at the competition, Raycroft’s work is resonating with students, says Perrault. Raycroft has also shown his dedication by joining the curriculum writing committee for financial literac, she says.
“The fact that he would even apply for that shows his dedication to the advancement of business education in the province.”
HCI principal Cory Popoff says they are very proud of Raycroft for his commitment to business education at HCI.
“He continues to involve himself in areas that promote financial literacy in our school and province.”
