This year a total of 17 teams from the Rooks County schools competed at the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge event, which was held at the Stockton High School on Wednesday, March 2nd. The goal of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) is to expose Kansas middle school and high school students to entrepreneurship and give them a handson experience.

The students presented their business concepts with a written business plan, a four-minute presentation to judges, and a tabletop marketing display. All were judged by a selected group of experts from around the area and state.

There were many very unique concepts with this group of students with “Ayers Buddies Pet Sitting” presented by Taylor Ayers of Plainville placing first, as well as winning Best Marketing Award. Taylor has actually been operating his business for a while. He visits pets in their homes while the owners are away, allowing for the least amount of stress for the pet. Taylor has donated much of his earnings to the Special Education program at USD #270. His first place win makes Taylor automatically eligible for the State YEC to be held in Manhattan on Thursday, April 28th.

Second place went to Bryan Garvert of Plainville for his business concept “Intricates,” which uses laser technology to transfer photographs on wood. Third place went to Sunflower Stickers & Company presented by Mia Odle, Brenna Odle and Camille Lowry of Stockton.

The Growing Kansas Ag Award went to Wild Heifer n’ Co. presented by Cady Pieper of Palco. The Ready To Go Award went to “Frosty’s Kettle” presented by Jayanna Creighton and Reese Taylor of Stockton. Honorable Mentions in that category went to “TJ Taxidermy & Processing” presented by Jace Kesler and Tanner Inglesbee of Stockton, and “The Meat Brothers” presented by Austin Stohs, Braydon Desaire and Kyler Martin of Palco.

Plainville alumni John McIntrye donated towards this worthwhile contest with the funds going to the John McIntyre Business & Professional Awards, which were won by Taylor Ayers and Bryan Garvert. The John McIntyre Teamwork Award went to “Sunflower Stickers & Company.”

It is worth noting that nine of the teams competing this year were Stockton students from Mrs. Laura Moffet’s seventh grade class. Their presentations included “Sunflower Stickers & Company;” “Frosty’s Kettle;” “TJ Processing & Taxidermy;” “CC’s Tasty School Supplies & Treats” presented by Chrissy Jurgens; “Hydrodip Paradise” presented by Wesley Toll, Isaac Thayer and Kolby Dix; “S&S Sweet Treats” presented by Shae Yohon and Skylar Amlong; “C&D Custom Upholstery” presented by Cameron Earl, Dayton Carpenter and Beckem Hilbrink; “Full Throttle Car & Truck Detailing” presented by Lincoln Keller and Haden Hahn; and “R&S Kitten Rescue & Adoption” presented by Sierra Jackson and Raileigh Huenergarde, though they did not present at the contest..

The rest of the presenters included “Your Way” with GarryWayne Moore, Deacon Creighton and Lukas Sager, “Shape Up or Ship Out” presented by Austin Mitchell and Anthony Ciarllo; “Aunt D’s Babysitting” presented by Delanee Bedore; “Palco Poultry” presented by Eric Gaschler; and “Pheasant Fields” presented by Lucina Parson.

“We are excited to see the innovative ideas put forth by the students,” said Rooks County Economic Development Director Roger Hrabe. “The goal of our E-Community team is to encourage an entrepreneurial environment in our communities, and what better place to start than with our students.”

Cash prizes of nearly $1,800.00 were awarded to the winning teams as part of sponsorships by Rooks County Economic Development, Rooks County E-Community, Nex-Gen, and a special donation from former Plainville resident and entrepreneur, John McIntyre.

(All the other teams can now apply for 15 wild card positions at that same event. The state YEC event will include the top young entrepreneurs from schools across the state of Kansas.)