Students Awarded Minister’s Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence

Three students were awarded the Minister’s Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence and a $1,000 grant for each project to help grow their business during a pitch event today, April 25, in Halifax.

“Entrepreneurs are the innovators and risk takers who help us to make Nova Scotia stronger and grow our economy.” said Zach Churchill Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “These winners are being recognized for their original ideas and innovative thinking. These are our business leaders of tomorrow.”

The recipients and categories they won in are:

• Social Enterprise: Talia Quinlan, École secondaire du Sommet, Bedford, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial. Her company is Sea Secrets, which offers seashell mulch as a friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers
• Technology: Gabriel Baker, West Kings District High School, Auburn, Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education. His company is 3dMEnow which offers customized three-dimension portraits, statues and sculptures
• Innovation and Creativity: Madison Crawford, Eastern Passage Education Centre, Eastern Passage, Halifax Regional Centre for Education. Her company is 2 Paws Up Dog Treats which offers specialty gluten-free and all-natural treats for dogs

The event was held in partnership with the Business Education Council. The full-day session provided students with an opportunity to gain insight and business tips from local business and education leaders, including representatives from IBM, Imaginal Ventures, Nova Scotia Community College, Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship, Atlantic Cirque and the Department Education and Early Childhood Development.

Students from grades 6 to 12 are provided opportunities to learn about business and explore entrepreneurship as part of their curriculum. The award encourages entrepreneurial thinking and innovation among youth.

For more information go to http://www.novascotia.ca/entrepreneuraward/ .