A business concept drafted by five graduates of The Center for Rural Development’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) has earned each of the students an offer of a Presidential Scholarship from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in Richmond.
The first-place winners of ELI’s 2010 Business Concept Competition are Austin Kirksey, Wayne County; Paige Price and Hannah Lake, both of Pulaski County; South Whitt, Bath County; and Catherine Crawford of Laurel County.
The students worked as a team to craft a business concept for a physical fitness center, called “HOPE,” that addresses the growing problem of obesity in Kentucky and throughout the United States. According to their proposal, the facility would meet the overall physical and health needs of its clients by providing a three-pronged approach to weight loss: customized diet plan, exercise, and personal care by trainers and nutritionists.
A total of 32 high school students from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky—the largest class in the history of the program—graduated from ELI on June 18 at The Center in Somerset after attending a week-long session focused on helping them grow their business and entrepreneurial abilities.
The week culminated with a Business Concept Competition, in which seven ELI student teams pitched their business plans to a panel of regional business leaders. The teams delivered eight-minute presentations to the judges, who portrayed business lenders.
“The students worked together as a team and used their business and entrepreneurial skills to create seven innovative business concepts unique to Southern and Eastern Kentucky,” Jessica Melton, associate director of leadership and training for The Center, said. “Several of the business concepts presented to the panel of judges addressed needs to improve the lives of children and adults throughout the region.”
Additional business concepts proposed by ELI teams included:
- GRO-Green Remodeling Operations, a profit-based business to design eco-friendly homes and renovate commercial businesses, was declared by the panel of judges to be the second-place winner of the business concept competition.
Team members included Mostafa El’Kalliny and Aaron Hall, both of Pulaski County; Jeremy Ball, Clay County; and LeeAnn Grider of Russell County.
- “E-Mowers,” the newest, state-of-the-art product in lawn care, “a cut-it-self lawnmower,” which will mow the lawn at the click of a button.
Team members included Allison Swafford, Knox County; Landry Woods, Wayne County; Julie Crawford, Laurel County; and Michael Baker and Abhi Patel, both of Pulaski County.
- “AYOA,” a not-for-profit organization, whose goal is to reach teen-agers in Southern and Eastern Kentucky by providing fun, structured activities for participants at weekly camps.
Team members included Clara Chafins and Kelsey Gray, both of Johnson County; Aaron Pruitt, Pulaski County; and Emily Sizemore of Jackson County.
- “Road Runners of Foreign Language,” a non-profit organization, providing on-site instruction for businesses and their employees in Southeastern Kentucky interested in learning five languages: English, Spanish, German, French, and Mandarin Chinese.
Team members included Kelsey Arnold, Garrard County; Trey Garmon, Adair County; Jonathan Hubbard, Knox County; Laura Norris, Pulaski County; and Allison Webb of Lawrence County.
- “Project Pro,” a non-profit organization that combines the resources of a professional workforce with students to develop a mentor/mentee relationship where participants receive hands-on training in their respective career fields and grow their leadership skills as future business leaders.
Team members included Ben Whitlock, Green County; Noah Richard, Adair County; Rebecca Bolinger, Knox County; Ameka Menes, Taylor County; and Erney Justice of Menifee County.
- “Executive Jewelers,” a jewelry store specializing in upscale jewelry and personalized shopping.
Team members included Abigail Corder, Pulaski County; Ryan Martin, Casey County; Callie Ann Dixon, Knox County; and Natascha Richardson of Estill County.
“The overall goal of ELI is to provide participants with the skills they need to become the region’s next business leaders and entrepreneurs, and this year’s graduates have certainly proven they have the talent and desire to make that happen,” Melton said. “It has been an honor to work with such an energetic and creative group of students.”
Members of the first-place team will be recognized at the 2010 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards (EIEA) program, to be held Sept. 13 at The Center, located at 2292 South U.S. 27 (at Traffic Light No. 15) in Somerset.
High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors within The Center’s 42-county service area are eligible to apply for ELI. For more information on the program, contact Melton at 606-677-6000 or email her at jmelton@centertech.com.
Established in 1996 through the vision of U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, KY-05, and other leaders, The Center for Rural Development—the Center of Excellence for rural Kentucky and the nation—provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county primary service area of Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and is home to several statewide and national technology-based programs. For more information on programs available through The Center, visit www.centertech.com.
Photo Caption 1: The Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) business team “HOPE” was declared by a panel of judges to be the overall winner of the 2010 Business Concept Competition for its top business idea—a physical fitness center that meets the overall physical and health needs of its clients. Members of the winning team are, second from left, South Whitt, Bath County, Paige Price, Pulaski County; Austin Kirksey, Wayne County; Catherine Crawford, Laurel County; and Hannah Lake of Pulaski County. Because of the win, all five high school students have been offered Presidential Scholarships from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. Presenting the team and ELI graduates with certificates of completion for finishing the program are Jessica Melton, far left, associate director of leadership and training for The Center; Debbi Brock, seventh from left, content provider; and Jim Carroll, eighth from left, one of the ELI Business Concept Competition judges and director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth for Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation in London. ELI, one of three summer youth programs presented by The Center, was held June 13-18 at its main office in Somerset.
Photo Caption 2: Members of the 2010 graduating class of The Center for Rural Development’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) program are, front row, from left, Kelsey Gray, Johnson County; Paige Price, Hannah Lake, Abhi Patel, and Mostafa El’Kalliny, all from Pulaski County; Rebecca Bolinger and Callie Ann Dixon, both of Knox County; Natascha Richardson, Estill County; and Allison Webb of Lawrence County; second row, Jeremy Ball, Clay County; Erney Justice, Menifee County; Ameka Menes, Taylor County; Catherine Crawford, Laurel County; Aaron Hall, Pulaski County; Emily Sizemore, Jackson County; Clara Chafins, Johnson County; Allison Swafford, Knox County; LeeAnn Grider, Russell County; and Kelsey Arnold, Garrard County; third row, Abigail Corder, Pulaski County; Noah Richard, Adair County; Laura Norris, Pulaski County; Trey Garmon, Adair County; Julie Crawford, Laurel County; Michael Baker, Pulaski County; Ryan Martin, Casey County; and Ben Whitlock of Green County; back row, Corey Gearlds, resident assistant; Aaron Pruitt, Pulaski County; Landry Woods, Wayne County; Jessica Melton, associate director of leadership and training for The Center for Rural Development; Jonathan Hubbard, Knox County; South Whitt, Bath County; Laura Curry, resident assistant; Austin Kirksey, Wayne County; and student mentee Donavon McClure. The students attended ELI, a program for future business leaders and entrepreneurs, during the week of June 13-18 on the campus of the The Center, located at 2292 South U.S. 27 (at Traffic Light No. 15) in Somerset. |
