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Happy Hands wins Best Trade Stand

The Academy’s Young Enterprise company Happy Hands has won first place in the National Team Programme Young Enterprise Best Trade Stand Competition. This was open to all schools enrolled in the Team Programme.  This year there are 114 schools taking part and 25 schools entered this competition.

The students had to set up a stand showcasing their products, which includes a range of upcycled teacup themed items. They were then judged on a number of elements including the display of their stand and the presentation of their products.

Miss Nikki Clark, Young Enterprise Link Teacher said ‘Last year we came second in the Trade Stand Competition. We really wanted to improve on that this year. The students helped to develop the stand by incorporating the colours of the company’s logo and selecting key products to display. The team achieved first place this year and we all are very happy with the success.’

The judges said ‘We are really impressed by the variety, creativity and presentation of the products. The stall looks like it would be really enticing to passers by!’

Miss Clark said ‘We have kept the company name Happy Hands since we first took part in the programme so that we keep our brand recognition. Each year we develop the logo and our range of products. This year we have been selling: Happy Hands tote bags, chalkboards, teacup candles, bird feeders and pincushions as well as seasonal items such as Christmas baubles all designed by the students.’

Two of the students will be chosen to represent Happy Hands and attend the Young Enterprise UK Final held at the Emirates Stadium, in July, to collect the award.

Congratulations to all the students from the Unit who took part: Ronan Kelly, Daniel Lee, Jessica Brown, James Stuart, Sean Mathieson, Natasha Cadogan, Chelsea Philp and Chloe Critchley.

During this year, Happy Hands also entered in the National Team Programme Best Advertisement competition and came third, improving on last year’s entry. Currently the team is working on a presentation about Happy Hands for the final competition of the year as well as nominating Jessica Brown for the Sir John Moores’ Award for Special Achievement.