For Okanagan College students Reece LeGuilloux and Kayla Warner, their involvement with the student business club Enactus Okanagan College (EnactusOC) is about more than just extracurricular activities, it's about making a real difference.
Okanagan College students, Reece LeGuilloux and Kayla Warner, accepting the award.
The two second-year business students recently achieved a major milestone when the EnactusOC project, "Revive," was awarded $4,300 in funding by 100 Women Who Care in the South Okanagan/Similkameen area. This funding will help expand their renewable energy education program to middle schools across the South Okanagan.
EnactusOC encourages value-driven student leaders to create positive change in their communities. Through projects like Revive, students learn valuable leadership and business skills while giving back to their community.
LeGuilloux and Warner's hard work and passion for sustainability paid off when they were named one of three winning groups earlier this fall at an event hosted by 100 Women Who Care. The local philanthropy group has donated over $160,000 to more than 50 local charities since 2014, helping initiatives like Revive make a broader impact.
The Revive project, focuses on creating engaging and interactive curriculums about renewable energy for middle school students. The goal is to educate the younger generation about sustainable practices, fostering a long-term impact on the environment.
"We're using this funding to expand our curriculum program to the South Okanagan as a pilot at no cost," LeGuilloux explained, highlighting the importance of removing financial barriers to education.
LeGuilloux, a second-year Bachelor of Business Administration student at Okanagan College, shared their excitement about the funding and its impact on the project.
"With the support of 100 Women Who Care, we will be able to provide these resources to teachers across the South Okanagan," said LeGuilloux. "Our projects are not just about making a difference; they are driven by a strong commitment to community sustainability and outreach."
LeGuilloux's teammate, Kayla Warner, who is also in their second year of the Business Administration program, shares a similar passion for community engagement. Warner joined EnactusOC early in their studies, drawn by the opportunity to work on community-focused projects. Their favorite experience with EnactusOC was attending Regionals in Calgary earlier this year, where the team presented on environmental sustainability and then participated in the national competition in Toronto.
For both students, their involvement in EnactusOC has been more than just an academic pursuit it's a chance to grow personally and professionally.
"You get out of it what you put into it," said LeGuilloux. "Okanagan College is a fantastic institution, and if you're a student who wants to be involved in classroom settings, clubs, and co-ops, you will have so many opportunities to learn from dedicated professors."
As Revive continues to grow, the future looks bright for both EnactusOC and the middle schoolers who will benefit from the renewable energy education program. Thanks to the support of 100 Women Who Care, EnactusOC is well on its way to making a lasting impact on the South Okanagan and beyond.
For more information regarding the project and EnactusOC, please contact Josh Smith, President of EnactusOC at president@enactusoc.ca.
