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SIFE Team Wins Regional Competition
released: 05/07/04
The West Virginia Wesleyan SIFE team recently competed in the 2004 Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Regional Competition and Career Opportunity Fair in Cincinnati, Ohio. Displaying their work in educational outreach and community service categories, the team placed first in the region.

The team, comprised of Ryan Bogess, Beth Bridgewater, Matthew Brothers, Kilo Dentner, Mark Hazey, Karim Motani, Valarie Pauley, and Ernesto Waines, earned Wesleyan’s fourth title in as many years. Winning the region qualifies the team for the 2004 SIFE USA National Exposition in Kansas City, Missouri. Out of 900 SIFE teams in the US, only 120 qualify for nationals each year. This year, Nationals will be May 23-25. In the last two national competitions, Wesleyan has earned first Runner-Up, which places them in the top 32 in the nation.

“I’m very proud of our SIFE team,” said Dr. Scott Bellamy, associate professor of economics. “Collectively, they have volunteered more than 1000 hours of their time, using their talents and abilities to make a positive difference in the lives of others in our community and beyond.”

All teams are judged on the effectiveness of their projects during a 24-minute presentation and are evaluated on creativity and innovation, results of education programs, success in utilizing resources, and documentation of activities.

SIFE encourages students to take skills learned in the classroom and apply them to real-life situations. The team made presentations based on the projects they have been working on this year, which featured a project to help fifth graders at Central Elementary School start a business and learn about entrepreneurship. The team loaned the students money necessary to buy materials they would need to run their business, and were then guided to brainstorm, produce, and market their products. They met their original goal of repaying the loan, and were even able to make a profit.

Another project the SIFE team has taken on is marketing Kayamandi-bead jewelry. The women of the Kayamandi, South African village produce beautiful jewelry but do not have the resources to market it or make a profit. SIFE has stepped in to help market and sell the jewelry, with all profits being returned to the women of the village. One $12.00 necklace is enough money to pay a month’s rent for four families in Kayamandi.

The SIFE team also presented their work on an ethical forum, teaching high school students the important skills needed to budget finances and the responsible use of credit. They were also able to make a presentation on their recent activity in providing consulting services for small businesses in the Buckhannon area.

Dr. Bellamy serves as advisor for the Wesleyan SIFE team. He was named a Sam M. Walton Free Enterprise Fellow in recognition of his leadership and support of the SIFE program. Founding Wesleyan’s SIFE team five years ago, he has provided guidance and leadership to the team along with his experience.

Student Beth Bridgewater reflects on Bellamy’s role with the SIFE team, “He definitely idealizes the SIFE advisor position. He is there for us when we need him and steps up to give suggestions and constructive criticism when helping us prepare ourselves for competition.”

“I think it’s the best student organization going because students take the things they’ve learned in the classroom, as well as their own sense of community service, and volunteer their own hard work and effort to try to help other people,” Bellamy stated.

“I feel privileged to have been a part of SIFE for the past two years. It is such a rewarding experience and I feel that it has been a good compliment to my education,” Bridgewater comments.

Founded in 1975 and active on more than 1600 college and university campuses in 40 countries, SIFE is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with business and higher education to provide college students the opportunity to make a difference and develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills through learning, practicing, and teaching the principles of free enterprise. For more information about joining the Wesleyan SIFE team, contact Dr. Bellamy at (304) 473-8477. Membership is open to students in all majors. For more information about the SIFE organization, visit www.SIFE.org.