Innovative Windsor Park project is for the birds

St. Boniface

Twenty-two Windsor Park Collegiate students are winding up the longest, most intensive, project of their high school lives.

It’s not part of the 30 credits they must complete to graduate and it’s happening outside school hours.

The aspiring entrepreneurs are participating in the Junior Achievement Manitoba company program, in which they start a company from scratch, create a product to sell, pour themselves into a relentless 20-week long campaign to sell their wares, and compete with 26 schools and 300 students throughout Manitoba for the coveted JA Company of the Year award.

The WPC team’s product is called Beak-a-Boo, a bird-watching kit that encourages families to plan nature hikes in Winnipeg forests such as Bois-des-Esprits, Seine River Greenway’s Trail, Beliveau Forest, and Bunn’s Creek Parkway.

The kit contains binoculars, a bird whistle, a map of different forests to explore, a notebook, a rustic pencil, bird stickers, and a bar code that connects users to a website with an extensive catalogue of seasonal birds to watch out for on the trails.

Birdwatchers who see the requisite number of birds can download different certificates signifying their powers of observation and bird-watching prowess.

The product was a hit, especially during trade shows at Kildonan Place and St. Vital Centre. Beak-a-Boo appeals to families who are looking for ways to spend quality time together, connect with nature, and have a little fun.

Each year, JA matches student teams with business mentors who share their business savvy about organizing shareholder loans, identifying a target market, writing financial statements, determining a break-even analysis, calculating a unit cost, and exploring supply chains.

Jeannette Bergman managed the JA Company Program, keeping students on track with weekly assignments. The toil was always purposeful and real. The trade show booth, company website, biz plan, production schedule, and shareholder report saw leaders emerge amidst the relentless work.

Shivam Sharma, president of Beak-a-Boo, was drawn to the program’s authentic feel.

“Through JA, I experienced what it actually means to run a company, not just learn about one.”

Each year, Bergman marvels at the learning and growth of the students, how “the young Achievers gain confidence in themselves through their successes and mistakes.”

Vania Chien, vice-president of production with Beak-a-Boo, felt the challenge of learning “how to manage the team and work with others – there were mistakes, but I really grew as a leader.”

Ayotanreti Omotoso was the vice-president of finance for last year’s Windsor Park JA project and returned to the role in 2026 because, she said, nothing in high school matches its realism and intensity.

“JA is a good introduction to real life with pressure to get the spreadsheets done. Excuses don’t cut it here,” Omotoso said.

The Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre was the beneficiary of 10 per cent of Beak-a-Boo profits.

JA is always looking for more business mentors to aid student teams. Contact Jeanette at jacanada.org/manitoba become a volunteer.