Festival of Youth Enterprise

2018 is the Year of Young People and Estrela from Kirkwall Grammar School have certainly marked it by bringing home the top prize in Young Enterprise Scotland’s Festival of Youth Enterprise.

The event at Hampden Park over the 5th and 6th of  June was attended by over 500 young people from all over Scotland.

As well as the young entrepreneurs there were guest speakers: Still Game star Sanjeev Kohli, Street Soccer Scotland supremo David Duke MBE and Sylvia Douglas, founder of MsMissMrs – an organisation which aims to empower women and girls.

Maree Todd Minister for Childcare and Early Years in the Scottish Government also attended the event.

Estrela designed, made and sold battery-operated, remote-controlled LED lamps, taking inspiration from Orkney’s heritage. The young people were guided by teachers Kerry Warman and Denis Soames, and from Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) business advisor Aly MacPhail.

The Orkney News spoke to Estrela last year at the Charities Bazaar about their enterprise.

Kerry Warman, Principal teacher of business, technology and enterprise at KGS said:

“We’re a very small community but we have a big heart and this means a lot to all of us. It’s a fantastic achievement.

“The young people have shown fantastic resilience and motivation throughout the whole process and they’re very surprised to be recognised for their efforts. It’s an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

Geoff Leask, YES chief executive  said:

“The festival was a fantastic success again this year. Every young person who attended was completely engaged in the activities and everyone performed really well in the breakout sessions.

“Our Company Programme final was the centrepiece of a fantastic event. We would like to say a huge well done to all of the students who took home awards on the night, and a big thank you to everyone for being involved.

“The festival brings together everything we represent: it inspires young people to succeed and encourages them to not be scared of going after their goals. We’re very proud to be involved in helping young people make the connections they need for the future.”