At St. Mark High School, the spirit of community, faith, and service came to life through the Grade 10 Business class’s first participation in the Social Entrepreneur Program (SEP). This initiative allowed students to gain hands-on business experience while showing the difference young people could make when they worked together with purpose and compassion.
With a strong commitment to making a positive impact, the Grade 10 Business students chose mental health and well-being as their Sustainable Development Goal in the first semester. Recognizing the importance of supporting children and youth, they donated all profits from their business ventures to CHEO’s Mental Health Unit. In the second semester, they continued their mission of service by supporting Earthub, an organization that promoted sustainability and environmental stewardship across Ontario. Their dedication to learning, compassion, and community care reflected the true essence of St. Mark’s mission to nurture academic excellence, faith, character, and global citizenship.
Hands-On Learning and Expert Guidance
Over several months, students worked diligently to plan, create, and develop their own small businesses. They collaborated closely with the Grade 10 Marketing class, producing commercials, logos, posters, and promotional materials. This real-world application of marketing and business strategies helped them develop key skills while strengthening relationships within their school community.
Throughout the process, students gained valuable insights from guest speakers, including local business leaders and representatives from post-secondary institutions. Suzanna Barakat, Lead SEP Business Teacher, guided the class with expertise and enthusiasm. OCSB Experiential Learning Consultant Carrie Clancy provided mentorship and connected students with resources and opportunities. Richard White, a Shopify and OCSB SEP Mentor, shared his knowledge of business development, while guest speaker Mahdi Rahman from Carleton University expanded students’ understanding of social enterprise and its impact on communities.
These experts shared their knowledge of entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation while mentoring students as they refined their ideas. When students pitched their business concepts to Board members, they received seed funding to bring their ideas to life. The experience helped them build confidence, establish connections with local businesses, and understand the value of collaboration and community engagement.
The Launch and The Impact
The first semester culminated in an inspiring milestone on December 10, 2024, when students officially launched their small businesses after months of creativity, teamwork, and determination. Their entrepreneurial spirit paid off as they raised $1,003.65, which they proudly donated to CHEO’s Mental Health Unit to support children and families in need.
In the second semester, students raised $1,097.30 in support of Earthub, an organization that empowered communities to embrace eco-friendly practices and build a more sustainable future. Their work demonstrated how education, innovation, and service could come together to create lasting change.
The project went beyond fundraising. It became a living example of how faith and service could merge with learning. Through the OCSB’s Deep Learning approach, students developed the global competencies of citizenship, communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. They strengthened their entrepreneurial skills while living out Catholic values of compassion and service to others.
Students also used artificial intelligence tools to design logos, posters, and commercials. This integration of technology expanded their creativity and gave them valuable experience with tools that were shaping the future of business and marketing.
Learning That Made a Difference
The Social Entrepreneur Program stood as a proud moment for St. Mark High School. It showcased how faith, service, and education could come together to inspire leadership and compassion. By collaborating and thinking creatively, the students demonstrated their ability to make a meaningful impact within their school and the wider community.
