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Posted on February 4th 2020
2019 'Apprentice' Winner Carina Inspires Sixth Formers
Former student and 2019 Apprentice winner Carina Lepore (second left) returned to Harris City Academy Crystal Palace last week to inspire our sixth formers with her story of success.
Carina was a student here from 1998 to 2004 and rose to fame when she won the 2019 Apprentice TV competition, landing a job as Lord Sugar's newest business partner and £250,000 investment too. She is now owner and founder of the Dough Artisan Bakehouse in Herne Hill.
Carina spoke to our Year 12 students at the academy about her journey since leaving school, and how she started her first business at the age of 18. She talked about entrepreneurship and what it was like to appear on the Apprentice.
She also met two of her old teachers: Mrs Sales in Food Technology (above, second right) and Ms Gatty in Media Studies teacher.
"I feel very inspired" - Disha, Year 12
"It was so great to meet and speak to Carina about how she built her business and landed the investment from Lord Sugar,” said Disha, Year 12. "She was such a lovely person and gave us some great advice. I’m feeling very inspired.”
Katherine Cumberbatch, Principal of Harris City Academy Crystal Palace added: "Carina is a fantastic role model to our students. She is a driven, ambitious businesswoman who has shown that with hard work and a passion to succeed our students really can achieve anything they set their minds to. It was a delight to welcome Carina back to the academy.”
Carina wants to help and inspire young people to achieve their goals and offered her time and advice to any of the academy’s students who wanted to meet her.
