Students compete in 'Apprentice'-style promotion being held on March 14, 15
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Studying about the world of business, Williamsville South students have learned how rewarding it can be and also how frustrating.

The two entrepreneurship classes at the school have started their own businesses, with stockholders, presidents, a marketing department and upcoming promotions.

Hours of hard work will come down to a friendly competition to see if the fifth- or eighth-period class will pull in the most money during Entrepreneur Nights at McDonald's Restaurant, 4987 Transit Road, next to Delta Sonic.

All the money raised will be donated to the Ronald McDonald house and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Inspiration Corporation, led by President Sarah Gutierrez, a senior at South, will run its promotion from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 14.

"The theme is St. Patrick's Day. The holiday brings in a lot of attention around here, and we wanted to celebrate that," she said.

When asked if the restaurant would have its famous green Shamrock Shakes, Gutierrez said she already ensured there was a sufficient supply after the seasonal favorite ran out last year.

The night will also include a visit from Ronald McDonald, crafts, games, a prize wheel and basket auction featuring local business donors.

The second Entrepreneur Night will feature Shooting Stars, led by senior Amanda Buckley, the president. The event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 15 at the same Transit Road McDonald's.

Buckley said her organization chose a Sabres theme because of the team's popularity and ongoing success in the National Hockey League.

"The Sabres are huge this year," she said, adding that the evening will also have crafts, games, a prize wheel and face painters.

Sabretooth will be making an appearance and greet patrons.

Both corporations had to start by acquiring stockholders to fund the purchase of the crafts and prizes, as well as to pay for advertising, T-shirts and other business expenses. Stocks cost a dollar a share. Any money left over will be donated to the two charities.

After coming up with their ideas, the groups went to work organizing their nights.

They learned about how important compromise is in the business world, Michelle Anzalone, the business teacher at South, said. Working with representatives from McDonald's, the students learned they couldn't use all of their ideas because of the restaurant's rules.

Eventually, each side settled, and the corporations are finishing the final touches before the March 14 and 15 events.

Brittany St. George, public relations manager for Inspiration Corporation, said both classes will be focusing on McDonald's new healthy choices and introducing them to the public.

Greg Smith, Shooting Stars public relations manager, said the local news outlets have been called, and posters were created to get the word out about their events.

Much like the business world the presidents had to deal with "employees" not handling their workloads. To create a realistic scenario, Anzalone created grading methods to mirror the work done by the students.

Presidents had the option of requesting a demotion for any student who did not fill his or her position. Anzalone said demoted students would be assigned to bookwork, and although some students skated on thin ice, that did not happen this semester.

Having taught the entrepreneur classes for six years, Anzalone said the events pack in a lot of supporters.

"The goal is to raise as much as we can for the charities," she said. "It's an experience ... and the students feel success the night of the event."

She added that it is increasingly important to teach high school students about the business world and practice. The class gives students experience through a real-life scenario.