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DSS business students selling merchandise for charity

Products are showcased on recently launched Pacer online store
DSS business students
DSS business and careers teacher Jayson McNaughton (centre) with students Reannna Rundhawa, Daya Bains, Annise Gill, Martina Oliari, Sofiya Lobkova Mohammad Shaar and Philip Becker showing some of the products available at the Pacer Store.

Young entrepreneurs at Delta Secondary School have wasted little time in making a difference in their community.

Overseen by teacher Jayson McNaughton, a business program is up-and-running again at the Ladner high school for students in grades 10-to-12. It has resulted in the launching of an online Pacer Store that showcases class projects as well as the efforts of the DSS Commerce Club.

“The store campaign project is about engaging in commercial and social marketing. Give them the opportunity to do something real,” explained McNaughton. “Every item sold at the Pacer Store has a defined charitable contribution to it. Students will vote on where the money goes.

“It’s the first year we have had business offered at the school in a couple of years and there seems to be penned up entrepreneurial energy I would say.”

The Entrepreneurship 12 class had a successful tote bag campaign that resulted in the sale of several hundred and a sizeable donation made to the Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society.

The Marketing and Promotion Grade 11 class recently launched another tote bag project. “Free the Michaels” is to raise awareness and funds for Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, currently imprisoned in China. They are available for $10 each.

Other items featured in the Pacer Store include re-usable and disposable face masks and DSS water bottles. All merchandise can be ordered online, via email at order@pacerstore.ca or through DSS business students with curbside pick-up available.

The school has its own heat press machine which keeps the costs down and provides flexibility for custom orders.

Upcoming projects include key chains and mementos to recognize another school year amid the pandemic, and a “dogs on everything” campaign where customers provide a photo of their favourite pooch to be heat pressed onto a variety of products.

McNaughton added the business program will expand next year to include an E-Commerce 12 class and he hopes to eventually create an entry point for grade 8s and up.

“These kids love it. We already have a few students who are doing (e-commerce) businesses on the side that have been quite successful. There is lots of entrepreneurial spirit here,” he said.