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Enactus º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ won an RBC Future Launch Project Accelerator and the Campus Administration Award at the Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto. This was the team's first national competition after winning regionals in Atlantic Canada earlier this year.

 

The team showcased project Spark, which promotes entrepreneurship and financial literacy through local events and workshops.

 

“Seeing what has become possible from a first-year project has only inspired us to grow, with both Spark and Spring Up. I truly am excited to see where this motivation takes our team,” said Kate Haché, project manager of Spark and Honours Economics º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½dent.

 

The team finished in the top three in the RBC Project Accelerator Challenge, earning $2,000 to invest in their project. The RBC Future Launch Project Accelerator empowers Enactus teams to create projects that prepare young Canadians for a changing workforce.

 

“We were very happy and grateful to have that recognition of all the hard work our members had put into Spark, and grateful for the initial grant we had received from RBC, which allowed us to support more students and entrepreneurs across Fredericton all year,” said Sociology and Human Rights º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½dent and project manager of Spark, Ellie Namit.

 

Additionally, the team received the Campus Administration of the Year Award. This is awarded to one Enactus group to whom the campus administration has shown outstanding support of the Enactus team.

 

"Our Program Manager at Enactus fought to help us secure this win, which is a testament to the far-reaching impact of everyone at St. Thomas. From everyone at Enactus º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, thank you for building these meaningful relationships within our team and helping make our goals a reality,” said Haché.

 

“We are particularly thankful to our Faculty Advisors, Ale Navas and Clara Santacruz. Their willingness to share opportunities, offer insights into our initiatives, assist with logistics and finance, and provide valuable advice has been invaluable. Their efforts have never and will never go unnoticed,” said Ameri Suzuki, Enactus º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ President and Political Economy Honours º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½dent.

 

Namit highlighted how their º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ education has broadened their perspective on their work in social enterprise.

 

“As a Sociology student, being part of this has shown me the numerous ways people can support their community and strive for social equality. As a Human Rights student, it’s deepened my understanding of inequalities in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and globally, providing a path for me to pursue positive change as a future Human Rights Lawyer,” they said.

 

Suzuki also sees her studies and Enactus involvement as crucial for her future career.

 

“The knowledge I gain in economics, business, and international relations from my lectures at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, coupled with the experiences and skills I acquire through Enactus, will be instrumental in achieving my goals to be a diplomat,” she said.

 

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½dent presenters

 

Ellie Namit, Sociology and Human Rights from Fredericton, NB

 

Kate Haché, Honours Economics and major in International Relations from Miramichi, NB

 

Armando Mejia, Communications and Public Policy from Honduras

 

About Enactus º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½

 

Enactus º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ is a group of motivated º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½dents striving to make a difference in their community and improve the quality of life through entrepreneurial action.

 

Apply to be an Enactus º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ member.

 

Spark

 

Spark aims to reduce food insecurity, promote student entrepreneurship, and increase financial literacy skills among youth through providing budgeting workshops, organizing entrepreneurship fairs, and distributing fresh food on campus.

 

Spring Up

 

Spring Up focuses on environmental impact. The project operates a clothing library on campus called The Swap, where individuals can exchange clothing items free of charge, promoting affordability and reducing textile waste. Spring Up also conducts workshops on environmental literacy, encouraging discussions on waste minimization. These projects offer short and long-term solutions to local community issues, addressing environmental degradation and financial insecurity.