Students in the junior achievement economics/entrepreneurship class at Conway High School-West are rolling out their newest edition of the “Official Wampus Cat Hoodie” this week. Each year, the students apply their knowledge of economics/entrepreneurship by forming their own company, Wampus Cat Junior Achievement.
The students elect officers, write a business plan capitalize the company by selling shares of stock. Officers for the fall Wampus Cat JA company are Erica Stanisch, president; Isaac Moix, vice-president of marketing; Buck Schroeder, vice-president of finance; Courtney Stithem, vice-president of human resources and Natasha Fuller, vice-president of production.
The JA Student Company program is made possible through Junior Achievement, a non-profit educational organization that provides materials, training and support in grades K-12 to teach students about economics and the free enterprise system. Conway High School teacher Cindy Beckman has been using this program in her economics/entrepreneurship class since 1991.
This year, the students are receiving support and guidance from Aaron Knight. Knight has his own marketing firm and was president of Wampus Cat Junior Achievement when he was in high school. Knight visits the class each week to teach a new curriculum, Be Entrepreneurial.
Other business volunteers who helped with the officer training are Dr. Sharon Stone, St. Francis Veterinary Clinic; Melissa Turner, Southwestern Energy; Terri Johnson, American Management; Rod Wilson, Southern Fence; and Stefanie Vann, First Security Bank. Students will take hoodie orders through Nov. 13.
Information is available on the Conway Public School’s Web site: www.conwayschools.org.
Downloadable order forms are also available. Hoodies will be delivered the first week in December.
