Webster Hill Students Receive Business Skills Training

What does it take to run a successful business? 

Countless entrepreneurs have asked this question over the years, from major corporations to the small Mom and Pop stores that line Main Streets across the nation.

On Friday, May 20th, third, fourth and fifth graders at were given an early introduction into the world of business, careers and financial responsibilities by volunteers from , the West Hartford accounting, tax, and business consulting firm. Using Junior Achievement’s curriculum, the 20 volunteers, all either accountants or business consultants, spent the hours between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. teaching 10 different classes of Webster Hill students.

Inside Stefanie Chapdelaine’s fifth grade class, students excitedly raised their hands and volunteered for various job opportunities within their “newly-created” fried chicken and pizza restaurant. Fox News anchor Alison Morris had joined forces with BlumShapiro’s Brian Berry and Anthony Leroux to help demonstrate to students how to open, run and grow a business.

Using the concepts of sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation, the children grew their “restaurant” from its initial stage of a one-owner business to a larger partnership and, finally, to a major corporation with a board of directors and a CEO. They learned how many people it takes to run the business, from wait staff, cashiers and cooks – to stockholders, accountants and lawyers.

The volunteers went on to explain to the students how they could best meet the demands of the job market by concentrating on what the Junior Achievement curriculum refers to as STEM skill: science, technology, engineering and math.

Area Program Manager Alyssa Lowry has been with Junior Achievement of Southwest New England for one and half years. She noted that Junior Achievement’s program of partnering with various companies to go into local schools is extremely beneficial to students. “I feel very privileged to work with all of our companies and see firsthand the impact we make in the schools. It is truly exciting to be making a difference.”

Down the hall in Kelly Cabell’s class, Chief Marketing Officer Tom DeVitto was explaining what a business is and how it thrives. In terms designed for younger students to grasp, the third graders were educated about various careers, city planning and zoning, and the skills people need to work in specific fields. Hands flew up as he asked if anyone knew what the words “consume” and “produce” mean in relation to economic growth.

This is the second year that Cabell’s class has participated in this program. She said the lesson ties in very well with the class’s recent study of production and consumerism as they relate to the food chain – a lesson plan that culminated in a field trip to Westmoor Park. The students also came away with a better understanding of what goes into the making of a municipality and how businesses decide to open where they do, something Cabell says they take away with them as they set foot outside the school.

“It’s so great – I can tell them to take a walk through the Center and look at what kind of stores are there. They love that, “ she noted.