Sixteen Okanagan College students, including Thomas Arrowsmith from Salmon Arm, are on their way to take part in the Enactus Canada National Exposition May 6 – 8 in Toronto.

Arrowsmith, who is the current vice-president of the student-led organization, belongs to the seven-member team that will be competing in the National category. Also competing will be members of the Enactus Okanagan College Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge team, and the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge team.

“We are so excited to be sending three teams to the National competition,” said Okanagan School of Business professor Terry Kosowick.

The national category provides students with a forum to present the results of their community empowerment projects through live presentations.

“This is a testament to the incredible work these students do in all our communities and the solid partnerships we have established with all our programs,” said Okanagan School of Business professor Dr. Kyleen Myrah, who is also the founder of Enactus Okanagan College.

“I know I speak for all of the College, alumni and community and business partners when I say we are so proud of this year's achievements and can't wait to share the impact our students have created with the rest of the country."

The students will be expected to show how their community outreach projects are shaping the economic, social and environmental landscape of Canada, and the winner will go on to represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup, to be held this September in Cancun, Mexico.

Meanwhile, members of the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge team will be making a presentation to the judges on various programs, including the popular Shuswap Launch-a-Preneur program, which gives entrepreneurs of all ages a chance to present their business ideas to the community of Salmon Arm.

Enactus Okanagan College, now in its eighth year of operation, currently offers 10 programs in four cities affecting more than 10,000 people, while working alongside 231 community stakeholders.

In order to reach the nationals, the teams overcame competitors from UBC, SFU, Brandon University, the University of Alberta and others to take the Western Canada spots. They’ll now be competing against winners from Central and Atlantic Canada.

The three-day exposition provides students with opportunities to hear from some of the top business leaders in the country, and provides students with professional development and networking opportunities.

For more information about Enactus Okanagan College, visit www.enactusoc.ca.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013