2014 Youth Business Plan Competition Winners Announced

9^th year of Youth Entrepreneur Showcase Business Plan Statewide Competition for fifth through eighth grade students

Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation, today announced the winners of the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S) statewide youth business plan competition for grades five through eight. Today’s winners, announced at Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock, Ark., were selected from 26 finalist teams that were announced in December. The competition included 220 teams made up of more than 670 students across Arkansas. Y.E.S. students from across the state work in small groups, led by their teacher advisors, to develop and market a business concept. The winners in the four competition categories are as follows:

Best Business Plan

• First – Wonderful Wire Works, Hazen Elementary School, Hazen
  • Advisor: Lisa Martin
  • Students: Gracie Brown, Jaida Hollingshead, Kade Perry, Blayne Toll, Jacob Weems
• Second – Mini’s Delicious Donuts, Carlisle Elementary School, Carlisle
  • Advisor: Jennifer Park
  • Student: Josie Fortner
• Third – Tiger Treats, Prairie Grove Middle School, Prairie Grove
  • Advisor: Dustin Seaton
  • Students:  Rebekah Bostian, Matthew Howard, Lexis Madewell, Mary Storlie
• Fourth – Pick UR Poison, Cutter Morning Star School, Hot Springs
  • Advisor: Deborah Giusti
  • Students: Samantha Garrett, Chalin Karn, Jennifer Kelems, Jaylen Puckett, Esmeralda Ramirez, Mason Treat, Antony Voydetich

Best Marketing

• First – Wonderful Wire Works, Hazen Elementary School, Hazen
  • Advisor: Lisa Martin
  • Students: Gracie Brown, Jaida Hollingshead, Kade Perry, Blayne Toll, Jacob Weems
• Second – Socket Pocket, Washington Middle School, El Dorado
  • Advisor: Katie King
  • Students: Jessica Carroll, Westdan Owens, Gabe Reed, Emma Thomas
• Third – Paw-Tastic Treats, Holt Middle School, Fayetteville
  • Advisor: Liz Bland
  • Students: Kimberly Anderson, Brianna Bailey
• Fourth – BLT (Bows by Lauren and Tori), Omaha Schools, Omaha
  • Advisor: Pam Hopkins
  • Students: Lauren Moore, Tori Plunk

Best Retail Booth Display

• First – BLT (Bows by Lauren and Tori), Omaha Schools, Omaha
  • Advisor: Pam Hopkins
  • Students: Lauren Moore, Tori Plunk
• Second – Socket Pocket, Washington Middle School, El Dorado
  • Advisor: Katie King
  • Students: Jessica Carroll, Westdan Owens, Gabe Reed, Emma Thomas
• Third – Wonderful Wire Works, Hazen Elementary School, Hazen
  • Advisor: Lisa Martin
  • Students: Gracie Brown, Jaida Hollingshead, Kade Perry, Blayne Toll, Jacob Weems
• Fourth – Kord Keepers, Hazen Elementary School, Hazen
  • Advisor: Lisa Martin
  • Students: Trinity Raper, Jocelyn Romero-Dawson, Trey Thompson, Christin Young

Most Innovative

• First – Socket Pocket, Washington Middle School, El Dorado
  • Advisor: Katie King
  • Students: Jessica Carroll, Westdan Owens, Gabe Reed, Emma Thomas
• Second – Solar Soda, Pinkston Middle School, Mountain Home
  • Advisor: Kristi Nelson
  • Student: Chase Blum
• Third – Wonderful Wire Works, Hazen Elementary School, Hazen
  • Advisor: Lisa Martin
  • Students: Gracie Brown, Jaida Hollingshead, Kade Perry, Blayne Toll, Jacob Weems
• Fourth – Drew’s Awesome Loofahs
  • Advisor: Jennifer Park
  • Student: Drew Sanders

Winning team members for first place in each category received a $100 cash prize and a medal. The teacher advisor of the first place teams took home an additional $500 and a trophy. Second, third and fourth places winners in each category also received prizes.Team finalists and winners of the Y.E.S. business plan competition are selected by Arkansas business leaders who serve as volunteer judges.