From topics in health care to energy to business, Sequim students had their hands full with hands-on learning this summer.
Sixteen teens from SHS turned out for one of four Washington Business Week sessions at universities across the state, including Central Washington University, Gonzaga University, Pacific Lutheran University and Western Washington University.
“I’ve never done more in a week than that week,” said Emily Webb, who participated in the business week at Pacific Lutheran University. “My team, we all just clicked. We didn’t win but we still had a lot of fun.”
In 2013, students from 188 high schools and ninth-graders from junior high schools attended either Business Week, Advanced Business Week, Energy Week, Manufacturing Week or Health Care Week. Sequim High School had largest contingent from Clallam County and was among 14 Washington state schools to send at least 11 students.
Mitzi Sanders, career director/counselor at SHS, told the students, “Washington Business Week is now very interested in Sequim High School. Not just because of the numbers but also how well we did when we were there.”
Jacob Fink also attended the business-focused session at PLU. His team developed an eco-friendly cleaner powered by body heat. “We thought it was cool but our investors didn’t,” Fink said.
He said he hopes to attend Advanced Business Week next year as a program ambassador.
Bethanie Davis, who attended Health Care Week at PLU, said, “We got to work with as a team and bond.”
“It was good to learn with different people,” said Allison Masangkay, whose team won their challenge at Western Washington University’s Business Week program.
“You end up becoming friends (with your team),” said Angela Bentley, who attended Central Washington University’s Business Week.
Alex Law attended Get AMPT!, the Manufacturing Week at Western Washington University.
“It’s a lot more hands-on than business week,” Law said, noting his team built a prototype and negotiated deals with prospective clients.
Other 2013 Sequim attendees included: Emily Larson (Central Washington University), Dallas Allen and Nick Well (Gonzaga University), Breanna Campbell, Mackenzie Gale, Ashley Milvahill, Kailee Price and Emily Straling (Pacific Lutheran University), and Kaylee Ditlefsen and Anna Mittmann (Western Washington University).
More information
Sanders said the program costs about $1,200 per student, but that businesses and organizations finance most of the cost and students who have trouble covering the final $400-$500 may receive financial aid.
Washington Business Week is a 501(c)(3) organization. Its founding sponsor is the Association of Washington Business.
Registrations for 2014 Washington Business Week programs are due in April.
For more information, call Sanders at 582-3631. Also, see www.wbw.org.
