Students awarded $1,300 in scholarships for Franklin County High School Business Challenge
April 17, 2018
FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA – More than $1,000 in scholarships were awarded to teams of high school students at the 2nd Annual Franklin County High School Business Challenge on April 17 at the Franklin County Career and Technology Center.
Hosted by the Community Education Coalition (CEC), three groups of high school students presented their business plans in a “Shark Tank” style competition for the opportunity to win scholarships. The first-place team created AssemBuild, an online remodel-design tool which allows inexperienced customers to easily create three-dimensional mock-ups, materials list, schedules and contractor recommendations to assist with do-it-yourself home improvement projects.
“Today’s Business Plan Competition was validation that entrepreneurism is alive and well in Franklin County,” said L. Michael Ross, one of the judges for the finale and president of Franklin County Area Development Corp. “All of the participating students were engaged and their presentations were outstanding.”
AssemBuild was created by Collin Griffin, Matthew Lynerd, and Clare Hudak from Greencastle-Antrim High School. Their advisor was Eric Brennan, STEAM teacher, and their mentor was Nathan Rotz of eLynxx Solutions.
“CADC is honored to support this event that enables our student entrepreneurs to truly understand how to transform an idea into a viable business initiative,” said Stephen Christian, executive director of event sponsor Chambersburg Area Development Corporation. “We are committed to sustaining creative ideas that make our community great and look forward to this event every year.”
The Business Challenge began earlier in the school year when local students were challenged to conceive and present a plan for a business – real or imaginary – to be located in Franklin County that would positively impact our community while generating a profit. Five teams from area high schools submitted written business plans for the challenge. Students from Chambersburg Career Magnet School, James Buchanan High School and Greencastle-Antrim High School participated. Each team worked with an advisor from their school and a mentor from the business community.
From these submissions, three finalists were selected to participate in the finale which included a “Shark Tank” style presentation to a panel of judges. In addition to Ross, the judges were Tanya Nitterhouse of SunnyHill Properties and Cheryl Young, business consultant with the Small Business Development Center Shippensburg.
“The students along with their mentors and advisors worked hard to put together well written business plans,” said Young. “The teams were well prepared and put a lot of thought into what it would take to start their business. All three teams did an excellent job with their presentations and follow-up questions.”
Second place was awarded to Korbin Davis, Rachel Dusman, Luke Myers and Kelly Smith of Chambersburg Career Magnet School for Raised and Rooted. Raised and Rooted is a locally sourced, meal plan business that provides the area with a reasonably priced, local meal kit. Their advisor was Corey Grove, and their mentor was Duaine Collier of Shippensburg Pump Company.
Third place went to Joshua McCampbell, Clinton Leberknight and Camden Walent of Chambersburg Career Magnet School. Their project, Chambersburg Sports Complex, is an indoor sports facility providing community, sports teams and clubs with fitness event services. Their advisor was Corey Grove, and their mentor was Jen Barnhart of Kegerreis Outdoor Advertising.
All teams participating in the finale received scholarship funds. The first-place team earned $700, second place shared $400 and third place received $200.
The Franklin County High School Business Challenge was presented by Chambersburg Area Development Corporation with associate sponsor Southern Installations.
The CEC is a workforce development initiative with the vision to develop a strong community where all individuals have the opportunity to grow and prosper. It is a partnership of business, education and the community. A guiding coalition was established to lead this initiative and determined areas of priority to address. The CEC operates under the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation. For more information, visit FranklinCountyWorks.com/About.
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Hosted by the Community Education Coalition (CEC), three groups of high school students presented their business plans in a “Shark Tank” style competition for the opportunity to win scholarships. The first-place team created AssemBuild, an online remodel-design tool which allows inexperienced customers to easily create three-dimensional mock-ups, materials list, schedules and contractor recommendations to assist with do-it-yourself home improvement projects.
“Today’s Business Plan Competition was validation that entrepreneurism is alive and well in Franklin County,” said L. Michael Ross, one of the judges for the finale and president of Franklin County Area Development Corp. “All of the participating students were engaged and their presentations were outstanding.”
AssemBuild was created by Collin Griffin, Matthew Lynerd, and Clare Hudak from Greencastle-Antrim High School. Their advisor was Eric Brennan, STEAM teacher, and their mentor was Nathan Rotz of eLynxx Solutions.
“CADC is honored to support this event that enables our student entrepreneurs to truly understand how to transform an idea into a viable business initiative,” said Stephen Christian, executive director of event sponsor Chambersburg Area Development Corporation. “We are committed to sustaining creative ideas that make our community great and look forward to this event every year.”
The Business Challenge began earlier in the school year when local students were challenged to conceive and present a plan for a business – real or imaginary – to be located in Franklin County that would positively impact our community while generating a profit. Five teams from area high schools submitted written business plans for the challenge. Students from Chambersburg Career Magnet School, James Buchanan High School and Greencastle-Antrim High School participated. Each team worked with an advisor from their school and a mentor from the business community.
From these submissions, three finalists were selected to participate in the finale which included a “Shark Tank” style presentation to a panel of judges. In addition to Ross, the judges were Tanya Nitterhouse of SunnyHill Properties and Cheryl Young, business consultant with the Small Business Development Center Shippensburg.
“The students along with their mentors and advisors worked hard to put together well written business plans,” said Young. “The teams were well prepared and put a lot of thought into what it would take to start their business. All three teams did an excellent job with their presentations and follow-up questions.”
Second place was awarded to Korbin Davis, Rachel Dusman, Luke Myers and Kelly Smith of Chambersburg Career Magnet School for Raised and Rooted. Raised and Rooted is a locally sourced, meal plan business that provides the area with a reasonably priced, local meal kit. Their advisor was Corey Grove, and their mentor was Duaine Collier of Shippensburg Pump Company.
Third place went to Joshua McCampbell, Clinton Leberknight and Camden Walent of Chambersburg Career Magnet School. Their project, Chambersburg Sports Complex, is an indoor sports facility providing community, sports teams and clubs with fitness event services. Their advisor was Corey Grove, and their mentor was Jen Barnhart of Kegerreis Outdoor Advertising.
All teams participating in the finale received scholarship funds. The first-place team earned $700, second place shared $400 and third place received $200.
The Franklin County High School Business Challenge was presented by Chambersburg Area Development Corporation with associate sponsor Southern Installations.
The CEC is a workforce development initiative with the vision to develop a strong community where all individuals have the opportunity to grow and prosper. It is a partnership of business, education and the community. A guiding coalition was established to lead this initiative and determined areas of priority to address. The CEC operates under the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation. For more information, visit FranklinCountyWorks.com/About.
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Contact:
Lark Plessinger, Communications Manager
