Student profiles entrepreneur, wins provincial award

A Grade 12 student at Stephenville High School has won a provincial government competition for her profile of local entrepreneur Brad Callahan.

Felicia Hefferan was named winner of the 2009 Getting the Message Out case study contest, which saw students from across the province speaking with and writing about local business people.

"Her submission best captured the spirit, resolve and energy of the province's business community, as represented by the work done by Brad Callahan," said Minister Joan Burke when announcing Ms. Hefferan's win at a school assembly last week.

Ms. Hefferan's profile will be used in the fifth edition of the Getting the Message Out classroom kit - a resource tool used by enterprise and business students in high schools across the province that highlights successful local entrepreneurs.

"It also focuses on stimulating thought provoking discussions on possible career choices and our province's position in the global environment," said the minister.

Ms. Hefferan said she learned a lot when speaking with Mr. Callahan.

"He has a lot of businesses and his businesses are all really successful," noted Ms. Hefferan. "[I learned] that it takes times and a lot of work in order to have your own business."

For her efforts, Ms. Hefferan received a laptop computer and an Ipod. In addition, her sponsoring teacher, Odelia Caul, and Stephenville High each received a computer.

"Felicia interviewed Brad who ... was able to show that hard work really pays off," said Ms. Caul. "And this program helps students get to see that anything is possible."

At the assembly, Minister Burke encouraged the students to take advantage of all available opportunities to find their own success in business and life.

"The only barriers that you will ever have to face are the barriers that you create for yourself," she said.