FCHS - AHSFA - Christmas Market Musings

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On December 11th, 2010, the Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts were hosts of the 1st annual Foothills Composite Christmas Market. With over 45 different vendors, there were so many amazing buys for the visitors to the Market. Many hand-made items such as jewelry, wood-working creations, ornaments, baking, art, knit creations, accessories and sausage, were bought up by the last-minute Christmas shoppers. Shoppers could also find those items that they could not find in our malls, such as Tupperware, Pampered Chef and Norwex products. And while the parents were busy with their purchases, the kids were entertained with face-painting, cookie decorating, movies and coloring.
The Business Studies 20 Students from the school were the ones who organized, marketed, planned and ran the Market, applying the knowledge and skills learned in class to a real-life event. They were able to see how the background planning and preparations come together to produce a successful venture. But the learning did not end there, as the students also got to experience what it means to “give back”. Through the proceeds from the table rentals, and the donations generously given at the door, $1000 was raised to help to send students from the school to compete at regional and provincial Skills Canada competitions. And another $1000 was donated to help sponsor a project through Samaritan's Purse in Nicaraugua. Arlene Howard, a personal friend, and one of our very own Foothills School Bus Drivers, will be participating in this project, where she will be helping to help to build a school in a very impoverished community. It was through a discussion with her about this trip, that we realized that the Market would be a fabulous way for the students of FCHS/AHSFA to help other students in another country, who are far less fortunate then they are.
At a glance back, this Market was more than successful - it was an amazing learning experience, a community-building event and it was life-changing, with impact farther reaching than the Market itself. I would like to extend a special thank you to all of the vendors, customers and sponsors, who helped to make this dream a reality. And we hope to see everyone next year, where an even bigger and better Market experience awaits!

Lyndsi Irwin
Business Education FCHS/AHSFA