Academy pupils find themselves “stars” for the day

Feb 16 2011 by Lynda Nicol, East Kilbride News

SIX Strathaven Academy pupils found themselves treated like movie stars when they flew down to London to represent Scotland in a national final of the Determined to Succeed Coca-Cola Real Business Challenge.

The six – Hannah Stobo, 14, Katie Wilson, 14, Megan Murphy, 13, Ellie Bather, 13, Euan Clark, 14, and Calum Sterritt, 14 – stayed in a hotel, were taken on a sightseeing trip, whisked to BAFTA headquarters by limousine and had their pictures taken by paparazzi.

Although they did not win the final, they had a fantastic time.

The team won their way through by beating nine other teams in the Scottish final in which the pupils created a sample of their new fruit drink, a prototype container and a pitch which they presented to a panel of judges.

Called Blast n’ Berry, the drink consisted of two cartons, each with a different flavoured fruit drink, attached to a headband to look like earphones.

The latest adventure for the team, who called their company Arkitek Enterprises, started early on a Tuesday morning when they met one of their teachers, Graham Wellcoat, who was accompanying them on their trip, at Glasgow Airport to catch a flight down south.

A school spokesman told the News: “The first sight we saw when we arrived in the centre of London was Trafalgar Square. After some sightseeing we were taken by coach to Planet Hollywood then to the West End to see ‘The Lion King’.

“The next morning our limousine took us to the BAFTA headquarters where we joined the six other teams from across the UK.

“Paparazzi were standing outside our limo and took a few action shots. We arrived inside and were taken into a conference hall where our enterprise challenge began.

“Our brief was a continuation of our hard work to produce a prototype for an eco-friendly juice container which would appeal to music festival goers.

“Throughout the day, our company was faced with difficult real-life challenges, such as making phone calls to Coca-Cola employees about sustainability.

“Although we didn’t win we were happy to have represented our school, South Lanarkshire and Scotland in this competition.

“We flew back to Glasgow that night after a tiring couple of days, safe in the knowledge that we had done our best.

“We are so grateful to Coca-Cola Enterprises and Strathaven Academy Art and Design Department for this amazing opportunity.”

Head teacher Mrs Helen Banks said the school, in their turn, were very proud of the team.