Two Granville County high schools scored big in a statewide contest of the Virtual Enterprise International (VEI) Business Plan Competition. South Granville High won first and third place honors, and JF Webb High placed second in the recent competition.
The VEI teams create, compose and present a ‘real world’ business plan to a panel of business and industry professionals, according to information from Dr. Stan Winborne, GCPS Assistant Superintendent for Operations & Human Resources and public information officer. These teams of students ‘pitch’ their virtual firm’s ideas and compete with other groups of students from across the state. Based on strict international criteria measuring the quality and effectiveness of the plan, the volunteer judges determine the winners, Winborne explained.
South Granville took first-place honors with the virtual firm, “Adrenaline Rush,” which operates much like a virtual Airbnb. The firm developed and marketed virtual vacation rental properties around the country. The team of students has purchased (with virtual money) and renovated six properties in the United States: two in Niagara Falls, two in Yosemite Park, and two in the Grand Canyon.
Second-place honors went to the team at JF Webb, which presented the business plan for its virtual firm, “AceIt.” This plan involved the design, creation and marketing of a variety of virtual printing and promotional products. This team, under the direction of teacher Marcy Winborne, has recently begun translating some of their designs into real-world applications for its school.
Third place also went to South Granville for its firm’s plan called “Carnava”, which runs a virtual carnival-food themed food truck. Virtual menu items include deep-fried Oreos, ice cream and a selection of pies.
Mark Jones teaches VE at South Granville High School. “Of the many courses I’ve taught in my 15 years in education, Virtual Enterprises is truly my favorite,” Jones said. “The students who enroll in VEI have the opportunity to not only travel to different states, but also to interact with other students around the globe who are doing exactly what they are doing daily.”
GCPS has partnered with VE since 2010. In that time, more than 500 students have participated in the program, which is offered at all three high schools.
Funding and support for VE is provided through the Career and Technical Education (CTE) led by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Myrick and Angela Salisbury, secondary coordinator and CTE instructional management coordinator. February is Career and Technical Education month.
Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean said she is proud of the teams’ accomplishments at the competition. “I am so incredibly proud of our talented students’ performance in this incredibly rigorous and cutting-edge program,” McLean stated. “Congratulations to our students and the wonderful teachers and administrators who helped make this possible,” she added.
The Virtual Enterprise International program is guided by an industry-driven, educational framework in which students launch and manage the growth of a company in a digital, international economy of 7,000+ student-run businesses in 40+ countries. Students learn how their skills, knowledge, and mindset as employees, workgroup members, and department teams contribute to the success and challenges in meeting company goals.