Imagine having to market a random item, such as a tiny robot with insect-like abilities, to adults, having to offer it as a service, as well as promoting it as a fun recreational item.
To many the solutions are not obvious, while others' have the ingenuity which allows them to be creative in a way to find an answer.
Shad Valley is a program designed for promising high school youth, which opens them up to what university offers and challenges them in business, science, technology, mathematics, entrepreneurship, and engineering. In relation Shad Valley also has Shad Plus programs, which are more focused on one specific avenue of learning.
The above situation was one given to Elusha Baird, grade 12 student in Lampman, upon attending a Shad Plus program between Aug. 11 and 18, which focused on business.
A challenging program that helps to develop young students into tomorrow's leaders through opening up their world. Shad has helped Baird unleash her focus and narrow down what she wants her future to hold, a difficult decision many youth have troubles figuring out.
"It's really shaped my view," Baird exclaimed. "I had considered lots of professions before: going into medical, being a dentist, social work, and different things. But, I just didn't know what I was going to do and then I just decided I'd go to Shad and see what I liked. And it's really narrowed down my pathway in life."
Being given the opportunity after applying for the program, she was eager attend and was thankful for the chance to help her see what she wanted to do in the future.
As Shad grows across Canada, it develops other programs, and the Richard Ivey School of Business was one of these initiatives. Having been involved with Shad last year, Baird was given the opportunity to attend this Shad Plus program.
"Over 550 applicants last year were accepted into their program and for Ivey only 22 of us were taken," Baird explained.
"They accept 550 students internationally, so we had people from the Philippines come and China and you all have to compete for these 550 spots..."
Though she opened the opportunity to herself through her dedication and hard work in the school as well as the community, she was thankful for the fact that she lives in a small, supportive town.
"Tuition for Shad is $5,000... we couldn't really afford anything like that, so I did a bunch of fundraisers... fundraising campaigns and the community really helped pull together and helped support me in what I wanted to do and it was great," Baird explained. "It was great to see how everyone in the community was so supportive of one another and it's great to see that we live in that kind of place where everyone wants everyone else to achieve as well."
As Baird fundraised for the chance to live a dream she found support from Border Insulators, Woodley Well Servicing, Garton Consulting, and Lampman Cottages.
"They really helped," Baird stated.
Overall the program has given Baird more initiative and has helped influence her future, ultimately giving her the tools to succeed in life.
"Shad has given me more confidence, and more strive, and more passion, and more drive to actually do what I want and to achieve my dreams... to push myself further than I could have ever possibly imagined because that's what it does," Baird explained. "It really challenges you as a person and it's such a great thing.
"I believe that sometimes we don't challenge ourselves enough and that this program just helps you see that. That you can do more, so now I'm SRC president this year, I'm in every sport imaginable that we have and just do everything I can."
"[C]ommunity really matters to me and so does my family and it's really good to have that drive, and that passion, and people start noticing it."
Now applying to the University of Calgary for a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and filling out forms to be considered for the Loran Scholarship, an $80,000 scholarship, doors were opened that she had never really imagined before.
Baird is thankful for the opportunity, which the community and local businesses were integral in helping her achieve, and is looking forward to a future with a drive and determination seen only in those young people who truly know what they want in life.
"[W]e are the next generation... we have the power to do something."
