Regina high school takes top prize at business competition

When RomaisaIsmaeel and her classmatesScadia Burki and Ibrahiem Essalahentered a business competitionat the Universityof Saskatchewan last weekend, they had no expectations.

"My teammates and I didn't think we were going to win. I was actually so upset I left the room," said Ismaeel.

But they won firstplace. The three Grade 12 students from ReginaHudaSchool wereawardedfirst place based on theirentrepreneurshipcase.

The competition washosted by the Edwards School of Business and the Saskatchewan BusinessTeachers'Association.

Eighty-four high school students from Western Canada and Ontario came together to competeand were given cases on both personalfinancesandentrepreneurship.

The cases werehypothetical. They were given a business scenario and asked to come up with ways of improving the business.

In the case of Ismaeel and her team, they were asked to improve the financial position of a business that was doing poorly because of new competition.

"We had so many fears that weweren't going to do well," she said.

"I think the most challenging part was to see so many people come out from all over Canada and competewith them. It was very intimidating, especially since I go to a very small school."

The Regina HudaSchool won Business School of the Year based on overall achievement during the competition. They also captured second place in the personal finance case competition.

Campbell Collegiate in Regina was namedSocial School of the Year based ondetermination, teamwork and creativity over the weekend.

The Edwards School of Businessis offering a total of $64,000 in scholarships for eligible students competing in the event, who enter the Bachelor of Commerce program at the University of Saskatchewan in September 2016.

Although Ismaeel loved the competition and the logisticsbehind business, she hopes to pursue a career inmedicine and workwith Doctors Without Borders.