Beverage co. brings relief

and DeSahra Outlaw The Community Times In order to learn more about starting and maintaining a successful business, the AIM Small Learning Community prepared the students to start their own beverage company. The beverage company opened for business in March, providing drinks for the entire Shaw community. Ms. Garnette Davis-Gorman, a seventh grade teacher at Shaw Middle School, said "The program began as a School-to-Career project which involves problem-based learning directed by Mr. Clarence Martin." With this in mind, the staff and AIM students had the idea of creating a business. The next dilemma was what type of business. Under the direction of Community Coordinator Elaine Welles, the students chose a beverage company for its appeal to the students and teachers at Shaw and its practical use. The mission statement, drafted by the group, states that "the water at Shaw Middle School is rusty-tasting." There are not enough clean and working water fountains in the building for thirsty people on any given day." The students' goal with the business is to provide clean, healthy water and beverages to the students, staff and visitors at Shaw while making a profit to maintain a successful business. "The Beverage Company is being originated to give students hands-on experience for starting and maintaining a successful business and using the method of problem-based learning," Davis-Gorman said. In November 1997, the teachers and staff started the early stages of a letter-writing campaign by learning the basic English skills for writing a letter. In December, they began constructing and typing letters to various local businesses soliciting information about their businesses and asking permission to visit their place of business. The students also designed brochures and pamphlets to promote their business to all learning communities and school community. During January, the students conducted surveys to find the most popular beverage brands for the business to sell. As a science application, they collected samples of the most popular items and compared the nutritional value of the products. All this information was used in the final business proposal. A group of Wharton students worked on this project with the AIM community students. "We are here to teach the Aim community students basic business concepts like marketing, advertising, customer service, and counting the money," said Wharton freshman Daniel Albert. The Wharton students said they enjoy teaching the students and look forward to having fun and helping students learn more.