High Schoolers Mean Business As They Vie for Entrepreneurial Recognition

Just like Game Boys and Power Rangers, lemonade stands are things of the past for entrepreneurial school kids looking to make a few extra bucks.

Now it’s all about formal business plans and marketing techniques thanks to the Junior Achievement Company Program—an organization that teaches business, entrepreneurship and economics to students in grades nine through 12.

On Thursday, 17 high school companies made up of 110 student representatives will showcase their original products or services before a panel of judges at The Next Big Thing competition. The top three winners will have a chance to advance to the JA National Student Leadership Summit held this summer in Washington, D.C.

“JA Company Program gives students the motivation and opportunity to learn how to start, run and manage a business,” said Tanya Johnson, a junior achievement education manager.

She continued: “Our interactive and engaging competition congratulates them on their dedication and success to this real-world project and allows experienced professionals to see how students are inspired and prepared to own their economic success.”

Three of the companies hail from Westview High School of the . Their products are the Place~Mate, an interactive mat intended for preschoolers and multiple uses; the Union-Tribloom, planter boxes made from recycled newspaper; and Local Noise, an online service that promotes bands and sells concert tickets. 

“The students acquire the business skills and more importantly, personal skills,” said Maureen Todd, a Westview business management teacher. “They learn how fun and extremely difficult it may be working in a team, but, in either way, they keep on task and move forward to achieve the common goal.”

The event will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Center. For more information, visit jasandiego.org.