I was among many CHS iQuest students who attended Junior Achievement's Social Innovation Camp this past Wednesday (2-4-15) at Robert Half International on Camino Ramon. Like many others, I started the day not knowing what to expect but eager to compete in a formal business environment. I love group projects, competitions, and working with people I've never met before—although my assigned group consisted of two other Cal High girls, fellow iQuest student Adri Robinson and junior Adrienne Lampo. Senior Alexa Richmeier from Dougherty Valley High School showed up after breakfast and helped us come up with solutions to social issues.
With four strong, independent voices, one of our group's biggest issues was agreeing on one business idea/invention. After much contemplation and debate, I finally proposed an idea that we all agreed was interesting and innovative: reusable, biodegradable graves. Sounds morbid? Maybe, but a huge social/environmental issue that everyone seems to overlook is that our population is growing and burial land is diminishing. Our group's "green" cemeteries, under the business name "Family Tree Memorials" would not only save valuable space, but also recharge dead soil for plant growth, bring more oxygen into the atmosphere, save money for families who would otherwise buy expensive mahogany/steel coffins and large plots of land for graves, and shed a new, more positive light on death and the cycle of life.
Our mentor, Alice Fisher, Director of Business Development at Robert Half, came into our room in the midst of our planning and her face lit up when we told her about Family Tree Memorials. Alice was sold on our idea and helped Adri, Alexa, Adrienne and I sort out all the technicalities and create a detailed business model. All in all, I enjoyed this entire day and am sincerely thankful to Robert Half and Alice for this invaluable business experience.
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