Mercer Island High School, Washington State, USA

Mercer Island High School joined Achievers at the start of the 2008-09 programme year and were partnered with St Augustine's College in Cape Coast, Ghana. Despite only being involved for a year they have had some excellent results and generated a lot of interest in their business.

Achievers was integrated into the schools Advance Marketing class and the 11 participating students started Mercer Trade Incorporated with great success by managing to secure a grant of $1000 from the Mercer Island Schools Foundation as well as raising $500 by selling shares in their company. After deciding their job roles they contacted their partners.

The Mercer Trade Inc. logo

Initial communication between the schools proved to be difficult, but after persevering, Mercer Island were able to establish regular email contact and arrange to meet their partners by video conference. They held several video conferences which allowed them to discuss product ideas and view samples, as well as agree orders and prices.

Mercer Trade Inc. decided to import Ghanaian soccer jerseys and jewellery which they sold around the school and local community. The products were popular and despite ordering a large shipment they sold all of their stock. They exported T-shirts, computer games and polo shirts, which their partners had requested from them.

As well as generating local press such as this article in the MI-Reporter, they contacted their local TV News channel who filmed a report about the work they had been doing which you can view below. Julia Ball, the CEO of Mercer Trade Inc. also spoke about their work in front of a large audience at the Mercer Island Schools Foundation ‘Breakfast of Champions'  fundraising event.

Following on from their first year's success, the Advance Marketing class at Mercer Island High School will continue to partner with Ghana, but are also starting a second student company with another partner as they now have 28 students taking the class.

Julia Ball said "It is our hope that the success of the Achievers International programme and Mercer Island High School will continue and inspire students and other high schools in the area to get involved and share in the opportunity that we have had this year."