Bearden’s Virtual Enterprise team will head to New York City next week to represent their firm Cura at the national level.

To raise money for travel, hotel, and activity costs, students involved in VE opened Bearden Bubbles, a customizable soda stand modeled after the company Swig. 

“Bearden Bubbles was completely started and organized by the students – specifically the ones that are going on our New York trip for Virtual Enterprise,” VE teacher Ms. Tricia Leslie said. “Ultimately, the goal is to help cut back on the cost for New York.”

The stand is open all four lunches through Friday, and students are able and encouraged to stop by and purchase a soda to help VE make the most of their nationals trip this year.

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“I’d say the stand has gone pretty well,” director of operations Bascom Winn said. “It seems like people in the lunch room are liking it; we have regular customers and people seem to like the drinks.”

The money Bearden Bubbles brings in will go to help most with travel costs, then hotel costs, and then all extra money will go toward funding leisure activities for VE students to do while in New York.

“This money will absolutely help cover some of the costs for our airfare and our hotel,” Ms. Leslie said, “and then there’s a couple other activities that we’ll do as well while we’re there, some sightseeing, and then the competition fees are also in there.”

Added director of finance Luke Akard: “Our goal is to fundraise as much as we can in the time before we leave.”

This year is Bearden’s last year having a traditional VE class, and therefore, Bearden VE’s last year attending nationals. With this in mind, VE students want to make the most of their nationals trip by partaking in as many fun activities as possible in New York while also keeping their overall goal of placing higher than they did last year at the top of their priorities.

“Because it’s our last year we really want to strive to win,” chief human resources officer Pip Vogel said. “And we also want to have a bunch of money so we can do a bunch of fun things while we are in New York.”

Added Ms. Leslie: “Of course I want them to go out there and do their best job and give their best effort. I think one of our goals is to possibly do as good or better than we did last year, which was fifth in the nation.”

As Bearden’s VE firm takes the stage at the national level, their reputation assists them in having a constant drive for success.

“Bearden strives for excellence all the time, and that means always coming to win, and we always want to come home with trophies,” Ms. Leslie said. “Bearden has always won in VE, and other schools in our state know that; we have that reputation, so leaving that legacy of always striving for excellence is what I’d like to leave.”

Bearden Bubbles has not only served as a method for students to raise money, but also as an opportunity for students to practice business skills that they have learned during their time as a member of Bearden’s BLC Academy. These skills will assist them in both the VE national competition and future careers in business.

“Any time they’re using their interpersonal skills, it is similar to what they will be doing in New York,” Ms. Leslie said. “All of the skills that they’ve learned all their years being in the Bearden business academy definitely are playing over into Bearden Bubbles with everything that they do everyday.”

Nine students will travel to nationals to represent the VE firm, with six students participating in the business plan presentation and three students running the trade show alongside Ms. Leslie. All students attending want this nationals trip to be the best yet, regarding both the results and experience of their time in New York.

“For most of the seniors, it’s their second time, and so I want to be able to experience it with them,” Vogel said. “I just want to take it in and live in the moment.”

Added Winn: “I think what I’m most excited for is it’s schools all around the nation and I just want to meet as many people like-minded in business as we are and just have a good time, and we’re going with our friends, so we’re excited.”