On Saturday, March 22nd the San Pedro High School (SPHS) hosted their annual Business Fair. The fair is a chance for junior and senior students taking Business as their major to display their business and entrepreneurship skills. From the beginning of the school years the students were tasked to form their own business and product that would benefit San Pedro’s economy. Not only do the products have to be unique but they have to prove to be profitable in the economy.
The fair started at 10AM and was open to the public. Each group prepared an elaborate booth to display their business, complete with a model of their future business building and product. The students developed both products and services that would be profitable in the competitive markets of San Pedro Town, and Belize as whole. The students were responsible for identifying a product, creating a business, identifying a location, securing funds, preparing a business plan and marketing their product. The senior students also had an opportunity to sell their product to the public to experience firsthand the exchange system in an economic market.
According to Josue Sosa, Accounting teacher and organizer, the Business Fair, gives students a glimpse at what life is like for future entrepreneurs. “The products and service had to be unique and tie into the market of San Pedro Town. Due to the seniors having more experience than the juniors they were asked to create a marketable product that could be sold at the fair, while the juniors only focused on a business plan and projected data for their business,” said Sosa.
Businesses ranged from Aquaculture products to non-alcoholic wine beverages. Throughout the day, judges visited each booth, scrutinizing the projects and testing the group members’ knowledge of their product. Judging the juniors was Jorge Aldana from San Pedro Social Security Board, Rosalyn Tzib from San Pedro Scotia bank and Janelle Cowo from The San Pedro Sun, while the seniors were judged by Julie Acosta from Saint Francis Xavier Credit Union, Arleni Dominguez from San Pedro Atlantic Bank and Raquel Ramirez from Caye International Bank.
In the senior group first place went to “Fancy Pop”, led by Giseli Brown, for creating a collection of exquisite popsicles. In second place was “Hell of Sauces”, led by David Verralls for the creation of an array local pepper sauces. In third place was “Nature’s Wild Secret”, led by Doris Soriano.
For the juniors it was “San Pedro Glass Shop” which took the first place. The group, led by Kristy Medrano, created an impressive business venture that provides glass panels. There was a tie for second place between “Aquaponics” and “I Lava Tiki”. The judges were amazed by the “Aquaponics”, led by Chelsea Munoz, who created an aquaculture business venture to provide year round produce and tilapia fish to San Pedro. “I lava Tiki”, led by Ethel Villatoro, wowed the judges with their creation of a gift shop that sells local hand craft and eco friendly souvenirs. There was yet another tie in third place between “Knit Fit” led by Milane Cadel and the one man show, “The Recyclist” led by Job Mendl Zabal. All the winners received generous cash prizes donated by SPHS.
The San Pedro High School would like to thank all the judges for donating their time, as well as the entire community for coming out and making the Business Fair a huge success. Congratulations to all the students on their excellent projects. Keep up the hard work!
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