THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
Stamford High School
​NE​WS & EVENTS​
Sunshine Nut Co. Visits SHS IBDP Business Management HL 1 Class
On December 5, 2019, IB Business Management HL 1 and Entrepreneurship welcomed guest speaker Terri Larson of the Sunshine Nut Co. of Mozambique, Africa. Mrs. Larson is the director of Social Impact at the Sunshine Nut Co and was invited to speak to students by Ms. Mackey. During their session, students learned about the company's foundation story in which Terri and her husband sold everything they had to move to Mozambique and make a difference. Mrs. Larson shared the companies business model, future plans and more. She discussed with students how her company brought all steps of the cashew producing business to Mozambique, creating jobs for locals and a product unlike any other. She discussed the politics involved in creating a thriving business in Mozambique and the constantly evolving strategies the company uses to help alleviate issues they faced. For example,
absenteeism was a major concern in their factory. To address this issue, not only is her husband seeking to create more factories that are closer to the homes of workers, but also devised incentives for workers to be at work on time. Today, 90% of the profits from cashew sales go back to the community of Mozambique. Mrs. Larson's job is to ensure those profits responsibly help the community to become independent. She has worked on projects like schooling, pairing orphans with parents who have lost children and so much more. Mrs. Larson spoke of their marketing strategies and how today they are selling to over 3,000 stores. The Sunshine Nut Company motto is "To change the world, you have to be a little nuts," and that is exactly what they are doing. Inspired by not only the success of their business, but the social impact they are making, students have discussed sponsoring a child in Mozambique. To support, Sunshine Nuts are available today at Whole Food and on Amazon and QVC. IB students are grateful to have learned about the Sunshine Nut Co. The company exhibits all things IB students strive to be, including risk takers, caring, internationally minded, critical thinkers and so much more.
Tony Pavia, Author of An American Town and the Vietnam War and An American Town Goes To War, Guest Teaches Research Foundations Class
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IB Diploma Candidates enrolled in the one-of-a-kind Research Foundations class at SHS got a special treat this semester during their Extended Essay kickoff when author Tony Pavia visited Stamford High School. Tony Pavia is the co-author of An American Town and the Vietnam War, published in 2018 and An American Town Goes To War, published in 1995.
Mr. Pavia is no strangers to Stamford High. Tony is the former History Department Head and Principal of SHS. He graciously agreed to speak to the class and share his methodology and wisdom with students.
Mr. Pavia spoke to the students about finding and following their research passions. He stressed the importance of discovery and perseverance and provided practical advice on how to use primary and secondary sources. Mr. Pavia stayed beyond the classroom period to chat with students and answer questions individually. The IB Diploma Programme is grateful for Mr. Pavia's continued support and for inspiring our students on their research journey.