NEWS PHOTO JEREMY APPEL
Badlands Cre8tions, the store established by Eagle Butte High School business students, opened to a packed house Thursday. All products were produced by Prairie Rose School Division students.
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel
It was a packed house Thursday as Badlands Cre8tions – the store operated by Eagle Butte high school students – opened its doors to the public.
Jason Deuchscherer, Eagle Butte’s vice principal and a business teacher who serves as the store manager, told the News the store is intended to give students hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
There were two major steps in its conception during the 2018-19 school year — designing the courses that would provide credits for contributing to Badlands Cre8tions, and designing the brick-and-mortar store.
“There was a little bit of product made, because we bought a laser engraver and we were just beginning to get that product going, but really this year was creating and designing all the products you see in here,” said Deuchscherer.
Although the store is an Eagle Butte-led initiative, products from students at South Central School in Oyen, I.F. Cox in Redcliff and Irvine School were also being sold.
“It’s becoming a whole Prairie Rose venture of students beginning to sell products and learn that entrepreneurial skill of maybe having the opportunity to open their own business some day,” Deuchscherer said.
Funds from the items sold that were made during class time go back into the program, but students whose items were made on their own time get an 80 per cent cut.
Jessica Hunt, a Grade 11 Eagle Butte student who was involved in the store from its inception, said working on it provides students with the “work experience and knowledge” to help start their own businesses.
“This is a good way to learn how to price products, how to actually start your own business, responsibility and whatnot,” said Hunt.
She pointed to the example of her former classmate Aaron Taylor, who started his own video game development company upon graduation, as the News reported in June.
Hunt says she also wants to start a business of her own, one which focuses on environmental sustainability by taking plastic bottles and turning them into weighted blankets.
PRSD vice chair Cathy Hogg says the board supported the initiative from the moment it was brought to their attention.
“We were on board 100 per cent from the get go,” said Hogg. “I’ve always been very impressed with the talent of the kids in our division – their artistic abilities and creativity are second-to-none. I’m just really glad they’re able to put their skills towards something that they’re going to see a great return on.”
The students had some assistance from Medicine Hat College entrepreneurial adviser Christie Wilson, who does outreach work teaching students about business planning and product development at high schools across the region.
“It’s a really cool thing to watch, especially on a day like this – watching the students make it real,” said Wilson. “When you’re in the class, building and planning, it’s just not the same as being in store, networking and seeing people buy their products.”
She said she’s also impressed by the progress from when she began working with them to opening day.
Deuchscherer had similarly high praise for the students who helped put Badlands Cre8tions together.
“I’m astounded by how much creativity these 15-18-year-olds have – their work ethic, their drive, their desire. It’s awesome,” he said.
