VIRTUAL ENTERPRISE
Santa Monica High School
Summary:
Santa Monica High School added the Virtual Enterprise Program to its entrepreneurship classes in fall of 2001 and is part of the Regional Occupational Program (R.O.P.) offered through Los Angeles County. Virtual Enterprise encourages economic and entrepreneurial learning through new student-created virtual businesses each year. Santa Monica students have won top awards and compete in areas such as business plans, marketing plans, human resource manuals, TV commercials, website design, salesmanship, best trade fair booth, finances and more with over 200 other high school companies. Enrolled students are from 11th and 12th grade, are involved in DECA and SAGE[1] competitions and conferences, and work closely with local businesses. Recently, the program has been showcased as a California “Demo” site and actively seeks to promote this program in other schools. The instructor, Teri Jones, has presented at local, State and National conferences such as MarkED conclaves, California Business Educators Conferences, School to Career and R.O.P. seminars, and currently serves as a steering committee representative for Virtual Enterprise.
SAGE Connection:
Along with consistently receiving top honors for their Virtual Enterprise work, Santa Monica students have received first place in the World Cup at the international SAGE competition in Shanghai, China, in August of 2006. The team received first place in the State of California as overall champion and second place in the nation for 2007. Some of the special SAGE categories which have received top honors in include best global business, environmental awareness, best new business venture, best business advisory board, best use of college mentors, best multi-media presentation and best community service project.
This year:
This year the Santa Monica team has begun work on revamping last year’s award-winning business, Soiree Locations, a travel agency specializing in party and cultural events around the world. Along with all the Virtual competitions, the SAGE team is looking forward to working with the Red Cross on Disaster relief preparedness and seeking to make a difference on energy conservation and global climate changes. For more information, please contact Teri Jones, VE Instructor & SAGE Adviser, Santa Monica High School, 601 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica , CA 90405, (310) 395-3204 x176 ,
[1] DECA: Distributive Education Clubs of America and SAGE: Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship are competitive organizations for marketing and entrepreneurship at the high school level.