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Teens try hands at business
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Boardman White Inc. “executives” Matthew Zook, left, Andrew Ripple and Betsy Bresnahan, seniors at Boardman High School, with their coach Melissa Payne, try to market their product in a diffi cult economy. They were among high-school seniors competing Thursday in the Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley’s third annual Titan Business Challenge at Williamson College of Business Administration, Youngstown State University.
By Denise Dick
Youngstown
Boardman White Inc. executives Betsy Bresnahan, Andrew Ripple and Matthew Zook struggled with a tight economy, trying to market and sell their product.
The three Boardman High School seniors comprised one of the teams competing Thursday in Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley’s third annual Titan Business Challenge at Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University.
Teams of two to three high-school juniors and seniors formed companies and competed to bolster their understanding of running a business. A volunteer mentor paired with each team provided guidance along the way.
Melissa Payne, assistant branch manager at JP Morgan Chase Bank’s downtown branch, worked with Boardman White.
“They have to market their product, do the R&D and get it to the market,” Payne said.
Students set prices, fill production requests, establish marketing and invest in research and development and capital equipment.
Teams placed according to performance index, which is based on retained earnings, demand potential, productivity, market share and growth.
The Boardman team saw growth between the first and second quarters. Its product, like those of all the teams, was a “holo-generator,” a fictional future product.
“We have to be in a really bad economy,” Matthew Zook said. “It’s a recession right now.”
The team competed in JA Titan last year and decided to return this year.
“We did all right,” Andrew said. “We didn’t make it to the final round, but we did OK.”
Teams reaching the final round compete for scholarships, and no mentors assist in that round.
The team discussed lowering the price of its product to adjust for the weaker economy.
“Last year we were in a really good economy,” Matthew said.
Teams don’t learn market conditions until the game starts.
Melissa D’Apolito of JA said 48 students, comprising 17 teams from nine schools competed.
Competitors include one team each from American Spirit Academy, Youngs-town Early College, Warriors Inc. and Southington Chalker High School; two teams each from Austintown Fitch and Poland Seminary high schools and three teams each from Boardman, Champion and Hubbard high schools.
The winners of the scholarship round are:
First place: “Southington Chalker Inc.” — Hallie Baugher, Chelsea Davis and Zach Plott. Each will receive a $500 scholarship.
Second place: “Champion Yellow Inc.” — Kris Martinek, Ray Taylor and Caitlyn Trina. Each receives a $100 savings bond.
Third place: “Champion Black Inc.” — Tom Lydic and Ryan Smith. Each gets a $50 savings bond.