Students in Deb Udelhofen’s Job Skills class at Huntley High School were featured in the Daily Herald and the Northwest Herald, showcasing the candles they have been successfully making and selling since last year under the brand “EdSpecial Scents.”
The business, which was seeded by a $250 grant from the Huntley 158 Education Foundation, has grown into profitability by selling products at the Huntley Farmers Market. On Saturday, November 17, the business will make its craft fair debut with a booth at the Leggee Elementary Holiday Craft Fair.
EdSpecial Scents launched last year, netting a profit of $500 by the end of second semester. So far this year the business has done about $1,000 in sales, with hope of strong sales from the craft fair. Profits support student lunches, community outings, supplies and other program expenses.
The special education class is focused on developing functional skills, as well as business skills such as customer service, technology, processing and production, money handling and marketing.
“Hopefully, these are the skills that they can carry with them,” Udelhofen told the Daily Herald. “It can be applied to other employment opportunities that they have. It’s one thing to learn (from curriculum), but to actually put it into practice in a real-world setting … that’s where they really master it and feel more comfortable with it.”
View photos and read more at dailyherald.com and nwherald.com.
