Thank you for your interest in helping the 2008 Santa Monica High School SAGE team raise necessary funds to travel and represent the United States in the SAGE World Cup Championship on July 21, 2008!

Note:  We are continuing to fundraise for Project Echo and the SAMO SAGE Team's travel expenses after the trip dates until our goal is met.

SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) is an international organization that helps high school-age youth from around the world form the belief that it is possible to make the world a better place.  SAGE promotes entrepreneurship, social responsibility, environmental awareness and civic engagement, helping students rethink and reshape their lives.

These students volunteer to undertake a variety of projects during the course of the academic year and then present the results to determine which teams were most effective.  The SAMO High SAGE team recently won first place in both the California State tournament in Sacramento, and the National tournament in Cincinnati.  They have earned a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent the United States in an international forum at the SAGE World Cup in Abujah, Nigeria beginning July 21, 2008.   They will compete against winning teams from 20+ nations including Russia, China, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea.  We need your help:

All traditional financial resources have been exhausted during recent travels to both the State and National tournaments.  We hope to raise $30,000 through a combination of efforts including this email campaign in order to send the Santa Monica High School SAGE team and their 3 advisors to the competition in Nigeria.  If we can get 300 people to donate $100 each, we will reach our target.  Remember, every dollar counts, no amount is too small, and even a simple forward of this link is greatly appreciated!

Many thanks for your support -- Please forward this to anyone who you think might be interested.

About the SAGE Team at Santa Monica High School

Students from the Project ECHO class at Santa Monica High School , which is part of the Regional Occupational Program (ROP), operate and manage two on-campus businesses year round – the Vikes’ Inn (student store) and Vike's Café (cafeteria).

A group of seven students from the Project ECHO class and other ROP classes, and 3 advisors  joined forces to participate in the 2008 SAGE competition.  Criteria to compete in the SAGE competition include: operating an existing for-profit business venture, launching a new business venture, creating a social venture, environmental stewardship, promoting global awareness and civic engagement. 

Through a heightened awareness of the impact of plastic waste in our oceans, the 2008 SAGE team helped organize a city-wide demonstration that ultimately led to the banning of plastic bags in Santa Monica.  In tandem they created a new business venture called Tote-ally Awesome, designing reusable totes made of 100% recycled products.  Part of the profits from the Project ECHO student-run businesses go towards student scholarships and help fund their community service projects.

In 2006, Santa Monica High School participated in the SAGE World Cup in China, and came home as World Champions!  They are three-time State Champions (2006-2008).  Over Memorial Day weekend, the SAMO High SAGE team placed first in Nationals and won the right to advance to the 6th annual SAGE World Cup where their results will be judged against students from around the world.

What is SAGE?

Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) is an international organization whose mission is to advance ethical business practices, social responsibility, civic engagement and environmental awareness worldwide through high-school level youth participation in entrepreneurship and community service.  Under the direction of university student mentors/business consultants, youth use their school learning to become self-reliant, create wealth, and help others. At the end of each academic year, the SAGE teams participate in an interscholastic tournament to determine which teams were most effective.  For more information, visit the SAGE website at http://www.csuchico.edu/sage.

About Project ECHO

Project ECHO is a local non-profit organization seeking to prepare high-school students for careers in business, both as entrepreneurs and as skilled workers, by promoting the development of entrepreneurial business skills through support of on-campus businesses and development of new ventures based on a student’s career goals or career-technology education.

For more information on Project ECHO, please visit our website at http://www.projectecho.org/.  

Your donation is tax deductible.

For more information please contact:

Teri Jones, SAGE Advisor:  terimjones@earthlink.net;  Anita Kemp, SAGE Advisor: anitakmp@yahoo.com