Tuesday, November 7, 2017
OPOTIKI College YES team members Leo Stuart, Keely Carter and Loren Alvarez are with Hasley Moore and teacher Debbie McKillop flying to Wellington for the finals in December. Not present in the photo are Jett Hunia and Thomas Ashford. Photo Sven Carlsson OB4021-01
Sven Carlsson
THE Opotiki College YES team has been selected for the national finals.
The “Left of the Line” Young Enterprise Scheme team launched its product at the Motu Trails premises in September.
The idea is to help visiting drivers remember to drive on the left side of the road.
The team is providing Keep to the Left stickers that are affixed on the dashboard so the arrow and X symbol reflect up on the inside of the windscreen, reminding the driver to keep left.
Participating petrol stations then give out Snickers bars to drivers of vehicles that have the sticker in place.
Science teacher Debbie McKillop said Eastern Bay YES co-ordinator Andrea Inman visited the school last week to give them the news they were going to nationals.
The final will be held at the TSB Bank Arena in Wellington on December 6.
“The plan is to come first, second or third,” Mrs McKillop said.
She said the team members had decided they wanted to fly instead of spending two days driving,” she said.
Fundraising ideas are already being discussed with artist Anna Gedson offering to help by providing a kete to raffle.
YES was providing $1000 towards the $3000 travel cost, she said.
Sport support
IN parallel with the YES team’s product development and success, sports tournaments between visiting kiwifruit workers and Opotiki residents are now held.
“This is to help get the visitors included in the community and to remind them to drive to the left of the line,” Opotiki College science teacher Debbie McKillop said.
Last Wednesday, eight teams competed against one another at Memorial Park with 100 spectators looking on.
“OPAC sponsored a barbecue, they have been very supportive.”