It's Competition Time: Believe in Yourself!

Believing in yourself and your dreams is oftentimes very difficult to do. But this past week I was fortunate enough to witness several young people who believe in themselves and their futures. Ninety-two students from eight different regions across the Youth Entrepreneurs program competed against their peers in their regional business plan competition last week. One of the reasons I feel this program is so valuable is because it inspires young people to dream at an age where they still believe anything is possible. One regional competitor in southwest Kansas said it best when he opened his presentation with the slogan “All you have to do is BELIEVE.” I can attest that every single judge, teacher and audience member believed in the vision of this future entrepreneur after he had finished his presentation. His passion for his business opportunity filled the entire room.

Competition time at Youth Entrepreneurs is both an exciting and terrifying time for students, teachers, and staff alike. This is where the rubber hits the road and all the hard work pays off. The students have spent the better part of a school year coming up with a business opportunity and creating a business plan. Their teachers have enlisted the support of local business professionals, known as Business Plan Advisors (BPAs), to visit the classroom monthly to mentor the students on their plans and presentations. Never did the students imagine they would write a 15+ page business plan, let alone stand up in front of a panel of distinguished business men and women to present their ideas. But each of these competitors was able to conquer glossophobia (A new term that I learned from one competitor known as the fear of public speaking) and present their ideas to the judges in eight minutes. Many of the students thought these eight minutes were the hardest part, but following their presentation, they had to be quick on their feet in order to field questions from the judges for another five minutes. While listening to these budding entrepreneurs, it was easy to forget they are sixteen and seventeen years old.

Now that the Regional Competitions are complete, we are all eagerly awaiting to find out who placed in each region. The first, second, and third place winners in each region will receive $1,000, $750 and $500 of venture capital or scholarship funding. In addition, the first and second place winners will be advancing on to our Final Competition where they have the opportunity to compete for $2,500, $1,000 or $750. What an exciting time, but we will have to be anxious for a little while longer because the winners won’t be announced until our Dreams to Dividends Ceremonies. Make sure to come join us at the ceremony closest to you to find out who placed at regionals and who will be advancing onto our Final Competition in Wichita on May 31^st.

Thank you to all of our volunteers, donors, and teachers for your help in allowing these young people to BELIEVE in their futures!

Kansas City Dreams to Dividends            

KCKPS District Office

May 7^th, 6:30-8:00pm

Topeka/Lawrence Dreams to Dividends

Topeka Public Library

May 8^th, 6:30-8:00pm

Wichita/South Central Dreams to Dividends

Abode Venue

May 9^th, 6:30-8:00pm

Southwest Dreams to Dividends

The Golf Club at Southwind

May 10^th, 6:30-8:00pm