Friday, April 15, 2011
Wildcat Market Is A Reality
What makes an innovative vision a reality? Hard work, a great partnership, and a kind, giving spirit are making the Wildcat Market vision a reality!
The Lawrence County High School Virtual Enterprise program has been fortunate to receive a generous donation of property to launch a unique retail store that will benefit many.
Mr. Bobby Thompson, a life time business man has handed over the keys to two downtown buildings located across from the Crockett Theatre to get the ball rolling on this endeavor.
Virtual Enterprise Instructor, Shannon Watson, explains the idea behind the Wildcat Market, “Allison Baker of Main Street approached me in October to initiate a partnership between Main Street and my VE program to take my students from the virtual world to the real world with an actual store that sells real products.
Together we brainstormed and came up with the idea of having a store located on the square in downtown Lawrenceburg that would sell a variety of products that are actually made by the students of Lawrence County High School.
The vision developed into the idea that once the Wildcat Market started making a profit, the money generated would be filtered to the Education Foundation for scholarships with a slogan/mission statement of “Funding Futures with Student Creations”.
Some examples of products that will be offered in the Wildcat Market include creations from all departments including Career and Technical Education along with general education classes. Mrs. Watson shares, “Merchandise will range from one of a kind artwork from Mrs. Saliba’s Art Class to chopping blocks and adirondack chairs from Mr. Ayer’s Carpentry Class to bracelets beaded and designed by the sweet hands of Mrs. McCord’s CDC students.
Our goal is to include any willing and ready program at Lawrence County High School. The Wildcat Market will give each program an opportunity to showcase skills and standards that are learned in the classroom while giving my VE students real-life retail experience rather than virtual and provide an additional means for the funding of scholarships through the Education Foundation.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of Mr. Thompson and his daughter Christie. We are very hopeful that our extended Wildcat family will support this effort and be a part of this unique partnership.”
Renovation will begin very soon on the downtown buildings. The Virtual Enterprise students will be conducting an office furniture sale in the near future to clear out the contents of Mr. Thompson’s former Office Supply store and will be creating a wish list for the community’s help. The group will be in need of not only financial support but materials and labor.
Any individual or business that would like to contribute to this effort and/or actively be a part of making the Wildcat Market happen may contact Shannon Watson at 242-6250. A wish list will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
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