Store to open featuring exclusively student made products

They’ve learned how to operate the store through a six-week partnership with Medicine Hat College.

“We were lucky enough to have the college join us and they come out and teach us entrepreneurial options within that class as well too,” says Duchscherer.

Products up for sale include benches, pens, and engraved cutting boards, created by students all over the school division.

“Anyone involved in the division can send products,” says Duchscherer. “You could be from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Prairie Rose and you can send products to the store and we’ll help them sell it.”

At Eagle Butte, a team of students offer an engraving service, each taking a different role in the process.

“I’ve been working on the engraver, getting the products out here, along with the communication in the group,” says Max Sept, Grade 12 student at Eagle Butte High School.

“I focus on getting stuff that is specifically requested by other people, teachers, students, other schools,” says Derien Larsen, Grade 12 student at Eagle Butte High School “They’ll give their request and I’ll make the specific design they request for a product and then put it in the machine, engrave it, and if they’re satisfied it’s a job well done.”

More than $1,000 worth of product has already been sold, including engraved baseballs. Students involved in creating the product actually get a cut from each product sold.

“We have a number of schools within the division who are creating products through their shop,” says Duchscherer “Some of the funds go back to the program itself and some of the funds are going back to the students.”

The ten students currently in the class are members of the 2019 graduating class, but 20 more are expected to join during the 2019-2020 school year.

Those graduating students plan to use the entrepreneurial skills later in in life.

“There is certainly skills that can be acquired that can be applied in many different areas, teamwork, communication, those are just the basic skills that you low-key get,” says Larsen.

“Definitely I plan to continue,” says Sept. “I’m planning to go off to college after a year or so of saving up.”

One student has is already working towards starting his own business.

“We actually have one student now through the opportunities and the things he’s learned in this class,” says Duchscherer “He’s creating his own video game business so it’s already started to happen.”

The class is also working to launch a website where products can be ordered. A grand opening will be held in September 2019.

by Jessie Weisner

Store to open featuring exclusively student made products

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