Fredonia Enactus took home a regional competition trophy from Washington D.C. on March 31. The team was one of four winners from League 7, joining the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Coker College of Hartsville, S.C., and Canisius College. The team will be heading to the national competition in Kansas City, Kan., during the last weekend of May.
Twenty-one of the 107 members left Fredonia early in the morning on March 30 with their hearts set on one thing, bringing home the Enactus prize, knowing they were representing the work of over 100 students who accomplished projects that had social, economic and environmental impact in the community.
Final coaching for the team was done by Enactus alumnus Will Wickett, ‘12, who is currently working at the Washington Post.
Though the moment was nerve wracking, the team knew that they were prepared for it, and delivered a flawless presentation in front of the judges, leaving them in a confident place for the rest of the day. The team highlighted the work done with Recycle INK which collected ink cartridges to avoid them going to landfills, and Boys and Girls Club, where a team taught entrepreneurial skills. Also highlighted was a project with Catch 18, a new seafood restaurant on the Dunkirk Boardwalk where the team helped with the business plan and marketing.
A team member noted, “You could hear the cheers echoing around the Hyatt as Fredonia Enactus was one of the loudest and proudest teams to be announced that day.” Fredonia Enactus CEO Luke Bartone, a senior, said, “I love the people that I took this journey with, and I feel even more excited for them than I do myself. No one is able to impact the world in this kind of way by themselves. When we are able to compete at such a high level and bring home that trophy, it shows the passion and effort that our team holds true.” He added, “It gives you a sense of ‘why’ you do what you do. And the people you share the journey are just as important.”
Other events throughout the day included a career fair in which members were able to network with a number of corporate businesses including Coca-Cola, Walmart and Sam’s Club, Robert Half and Walgreens, and a luncheon in which members of Enactus and representatives from corporate businesses ate together and were able to converse. A Fredonia Enactus member, junior Latrell Tyson, was brought up on stage and offered an internship by the head representative of Sam’s Club in front of the entire Enactus body.
For more information on Fredonia Enactus, contact Dr. Sue McNamara via email.
