Students from Wairarapa College’s Supported Learning Centre [SLC] have won a regional award for Excellence in Social Impact.

Aroha Cookies was launched by SLC students earlier this year as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme.

The sustainable cookie business with the tagline “we make them, you bake them” sold 200 jars of ready-to-bake products, doubling their initial goal.

Young Enterprise Wellington teaching mentor Yolande Rosario presented the award to the Aroha Cookies team in a ceremony at Wairarapa College on Monday.

Aroha Cookies had to compete across several categories – product validation, company pitch, sales, marketing and promotion, and deliver a 10-page annual report reviewed by New Zealand chartered accountants to win the regional award for Excellence in Social Impact.

Rosario congratulated the students on their achievements and said they should be proud.

She said the SLC had done very well and recognised the effort of students and teachers.

More than 4000 students across New Zealand participate annually in the Young Enterprise, which allows students to get a taste of start-up business while still in school.

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