St. Charles College students’ James and Nick Callaghan returned from the ‘E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition’ finals in Halifax, Nova Scotia boasting a number of well-deserved awards. Seventy-eight teams and more than 200 students from across Canada participated in the set of competitions from May 14 to 16. Of the ten categories that were judged, the boys won awards in six; one fourth place finish, two second place finishes, and three first place finishes.

James and Nick also received a great deal of attention from BDC (Business Development Corporation) executives for their innovative idea re “the Ground Hook: Safety and Anchoring System” and were the only team introduced to the Mayor of Halifax. The Mayor invited the students to send their project design to the new Aluminum manufacturing plant in Halifax.

The students spent 16 weeks developing business plans which were presented to panels of judges consisting of Business Development Bank of Canada Employees and aboriginal business owners. The purpose of the “Ground Hook” is to create the job of felling a tree safer and more accurate.