For the 2009 graduating class of Youth Entrepreneurs Kansas (YEK), the annual Dreams to Dividends Awards Receptions, held May 4, 5 and 6, brought fulfillment of a year's worth of hard work and determination. The receptions, which celebrated the accomplishments of YEK's graduating class, culminated with the presentation of $92,400 in scholarships and venture capital grants to high school students from Wichita, Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City, Kan. and South Central Kansas.
YEK presented 65 scholarships, ranging from $500-$8,000 dollars. These scholarships, totaling $68,000, provide the opportunity for students to pursue further education. An outside panel of judges scored the scholarship applications, and all current YEK students and graduates were eligible for awards. The three students awarded the prestigious Ellis award for $8,000 are:
Yosari Macias, Wyandotte High School (Kansas City)
Chandra Sauls, Wyandotte High School (Kansas City)
Britani Winberry, Highland Park High School (Topeka)
A total of $24,400 in venture capital grants was given to help YEK graduates start their own businesses. These students competed in business plan competitions, both at the classroom and regional level, with winners being awarded $1,000 venture capital grants at the Dreams to Dividends receptions. Regional winners have the opportunity to compete in the National Business Plan Competition. Regional winners include:
South Central Kansas Regional Winner: Kallie Attebery, Newton High School
Wichita Regional Winner: Adrianna De La Rosa, Wichita Heights High School
Kansas City, Kansas Regional Winner: Takirah Carter, J.C. Harmon High School
Topeka/Lawrence Regional Winner: Cassondra Sapata-Smith, Topeka High School
A full list of the classroom winners who competed in regionals, along with their placement is attached.
Finally, we'd like to congratulate everyone who was nominated for Business Plan Advisor of the year. The judging was extremely difficult, as we had many worthy nominations. Our winners definitely went above and beyond with the students they advised this year. Congratulations to:
South Central Kansas Region: Lee Elrick, Jr., Elrick and Associates
Wichita Region: Desiree Murphy, Cox Communications
Topeka/Lawrence Region: Susie Pryor
Kansas City, Kansas Region: Carol Knowles
Congratulations also to our recipients of the "Star Award" for overall, outstanding volunteer service to YEK:
Wichita/South Central Kansas: Mike Loveland, J.P. Wiegand Commercial Realty
Topeka/Lawrence: Patti Bossert, Premier Executive Recruiting - Key Staffing
Kansas City: Chris O'Connor, Liquid 9
