[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/hsbh2008.jpg” caption=”The winning team of Nirav Patel and Srindhi Sridharan from Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga are awarded their prize by a Harvey’s representative.”]Six high school students were awarded a total of $3,500 in the finale of the DeGroote School of Business' High School Business Heroes competition held on Friday, May 16.

Students from the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board and Peel District School Board were invited to participate in the annual marketing contest.

Teams of two were required to develop a creative marketing campaign for Harvey's restaurants and to present their plans to a panel of Harvey's judges.

First place was awarded to Nirav Patel and Srindhi Sridharan from Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga. They received the $2,000 grand prize for their “Harvey's Express” proposal which involved a truck going to different universities to sell a full range of Harvey's products.

Second place and $1,000 went to Sarina Bruni and Danielle Harper of Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School. Their plan involved making Harvey's a “greener” restaurant and developing a reusable loyalty card. Their slogan was “Harvey's makes our planet, a beautiful thing.”

In third place were Daniel Figueroa and Ansar Khan from Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School. Their idea involved changing the current focus of Harvey's advertising and focusing on their quality food and the variety of menu options. They were awarded $500.

The closing ceremonies event also featured a donation to the Breast Cancer Foundation from last year's winning team, The Pink Ladies. The team was given funds from Harvey's Restaurants to implement their winning idea and held charitable event at their high school, St. Mary's. Their fashion show, Rhythm and Runway, raised more than $5,000.

“High School Business Heroes introduces high school students to the experiential education that DeGroote is known for,” explains student chair, Kejina Robinson. “We are excited to provide this opportunity for students to showcase their talents as well as the occasion to develop the leaders of tomorrow.”