STUDENT COMPANY Program helps teens develop business skills

YOUNGSTOWN -- Local students selected by Ohio Business Week's summer program are getting a chance to develop business ventures like the show, "The Apprentice."
Summer program participants are Alyssa Koval and Deidrai McClary, both from Jackson-Milton High School, India Rios from Wilson High School, CestWaila Beck from Chaney High School, Erin Johnson and Jordan Uhl, both from Canfield High School, Abbey Jones from Ursuline High School, Christina Meyer from Boardman High School, and Andy Prokop and Adam Streb, both from McDonald High School.
Ohio Business Week took place June 26 through July 2 at Youngstown State University and this coming week at the University of Findlay.
In the program, students are assigned to a "student company" and participate in a series of challenges that pit one student company against another. Each company elects officers and develops an idea for an imaginary business venture under the mentorship of a company adviser.
Students then develop an Emerging Entrepreneur Project. Each company will research and write business, financial and marketing plans, develop a television or radio spot and design a magazine ad or Web page.
Each company presents a final business plan to a panel of business people who serve as judges at the end of the week.
The winner is announced during the closing ceremony.
Students can build a college portfolio and earn three transferable college credits.
Two educational scholarships for excellence in leadership and community service also are awarded at each program.