California SAGE team heads to Brazil but needs your help!

Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship—SAGE—is an international network that links teams of secondary school students to nearby university students, business leaders and civic leaders. SAGE's mission is: to help create the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders whose innovations and social enterprises address the major unmet needs of our global community.   More about SAGE here: http://www.sageglobal.org/

June, 2009

Dear Friend of SAGE:

 

We are the Benicia High School SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) team and the 2009 California State SAGE Champions. It is also our honor to announce that at the SAGE National Championship on May 15, Benicia High SAGE placed in the top two and has been invited to represent the United States at the SAGE World Competition in Brasilia, Brazil, August 9-12.  For a team of students from a high school of only 1700 students, in a town of just 28,000 people, this is an incredible honor and privilege for Benicia High and for California.   But we can't get there without you!

 

Benicia High has had a SAGE team since 2002 and we have consistently been one of the top teams in the state, but this is our first opportunity to represent the United States at a World Cup.  As a SAGE team, we have created a number of real businesses and conducted numerous environmental, social and civic projects in our community.  Perhaps our greatest accomplishment has been working with the City of Benicia to address the dangerous traffic conditions in front of our high school.  Thanks to the 3-year campaign by our SAGE team, construction is to begin this summer on lane and curb changes and a new stop light which will greatly enhance the safety of students and drivers on Military West.  This year we helped develop the City's Climate Action Plan and our continuing business of home energy audits has been written into the Plan.  Our new business this year was the sale of aluminum, BPA-free water bottles with 80% of our profit used to grant micro-loans to third worth entrepreneurs through KIVA.org.  We have already loaned over $1000 to four different entrepreneurs in Ghana and Peru.  It has been our privilege to help our community and in our small way, the world.

 

Now, however, we are asking for your help.  As you can imagine, the cost to send our six-member team and advisor to Brazil for this event is quite high.  Our current estimate is that it will cost $14,000 to send the team to compete and we only have six weeks to raise the needed funds.  Would you be willing to help sponsor our team?  Your contribution would be greatly appreciated and will help ensure that Brazil and the rest of the world know that California's SAGE teams are passionate about entrepreneurship and creating a better world. 

 

Tax deductible contributions may be sent to Benicia High School SAGE, c/o BUSD, 350 East K Street, Benicia, CA  94510.   Our tax id # is 94-6002197.  If you have questions or would like more information about our team, please call us at 707-745-1831.

 

Thank you so much for your help,

 

Benicia High SAGE

Lauren Bronson, Ryan Kuenzi, Kristen Osterholt, Johnny Nunes, Emmalyn Tringali, Adam Sass

Polly Farina, Advisor