News Article

SIFE Grand Falls-Windsor team makes history


5/26/2010 11:43:36 AM


The SIFE Grand Falls-Windsor presentation team at the 2010 Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) National Exposition consisted of, from left to right; Jim Davis, Adam Guy, Terilynn Oldford (faculty advisor), Janice Webb, Sheldon Boone and Sarah Baggs.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) from College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Grand Falls-Windsor campus have made some history. The team became the first CNA team to ever make it to the final round of competition while competing at the 2010 Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) National Exposition.

The SIFE Grand Falls-Windsor team travelled to Calgary, AB for the exposition during the week of May 10-12, which was attended by 43 colleges and universities from across the nation. Teams gathered together to showcase their abilities in a 24-minute presentation that outlined the economic impact that they had in their respective communities this past year.

To advance to the top five, the team had to go through two rounds of competition facing colleges and universities such as the University of Calgary, University of Toronto, and Dalhousie University. According to the judges, the Grand Falls-Windsor team stood out because of their dedication and the passion they exuded as members of such a small community.

The team consists of 16 dedicated members who demonstrate a unique passion for their community and its economic prosperity. The team is comprised entirely of Business Management students; however, the SIFE program is open to any full-time student on campus.

"To see these students present on a stage in front of 52 judges was both exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. I am extremely proud of these students for what they have accomplished," says Terilynn Oldford, the team’s CNA faculty advisor.

"The SIFE program allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to everyday circumstances. It gives them the hands-on practical experience that is necessary to succeed in the business world.”

Sheldon Boone, president of SIFE Grand Falls-Windsor says, "SIFE Grand Falls-Windsor is about igniting people to do their part in making our community a success. We are essentially ‘teaching the teacher’, and I love every minute of it!"

The next step for the team is to sustain and grow their existing projects. They will continue developing new projects to target an ever-changing community.

Two CNA teams from the Bay St. George and Clarenville campuses shared in the Spirit of SIFE Award at the exposition. The award recognizes teams who have not yet fully implemented their projects, but who have demonstrated their projects’ potential for significant community impact, while meeting the SIFE judging criteria.

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Media Contact:

Pamela Spencer
Public Relations Assistant
College of the North Atlantic
709 643 7928
pam.spencer@cna.nl.ca