Carson High School students from Colleen Young’s entrepreneurship class were recognized April 30 during an awards ceremony at Catawba College. These students, who together won a $1,000 cash prize, came in first place in the high school division in Catawba’s Ketner School of Business “Big Idea Business Plan” competition with their RoCo To Go business plan.
Young said her students had “a fantastic time” and added, “I am so grateful they were able to participate in such a fun and rewarding learning experience.”
A large and enthusiastic crowd was on hand for the awards ceremony, including judges, mentors, faculty from Livingstone, Catawba and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, students and teachers from Rowan-Salisbury Schools, and participants in the high school, college and adult divisions of the contest.
Food Lion founder Ralph Ketner was also in attendance and was thanked by co-hosts Dr. Pamela Thompson and Dr. Eric Hake for his service and philanthropy to the college and community. Ketner was the sponsor of the competition which awarded “Big Idea” lapel pins and certificates to all participants, and prizes totaling $5,000 for first-, second- and third-place winners of the business plan competition in each of the three categories.
Round 1 of the competition involved submission of the overall business idea. After initial judging, eight competitors moved into the final round which required submission of a “Business Model Canvas” and a three-minute video pitch for the business. Final round competitors were assigned a mentor (a local business professional) in order to help develop the final submission for judging and awards.
The event featured the business plan video pitches of all finalists, with awards announced by sealed envelope delivered to the stage by Catawba accounting professor and Big Idea judge, Darin Spencer. The event was taped and will be featured on the Catawba College YouTube video channel “CatawbaBusiness.”
First prize winners took home $1,000, with second prize winners awarded $500, and third prize winners received $250. Award winners and their Ketner Big Idea entry include:
Adult Division:
1st: By His Grace Ventures, Inc. (Beautiful You Minerals) by Carolyn Davis
2nd: MJJM Enterprises by Matthew McCullough and Janeria McCullough
3rd: I Am Priceless by Shaunice Sasser
College Division:
1st: Rosa Lee Active Media, LLC by DaQunda Magwood
2nd: GameOn by Lincoln Anderson
3rd: Capture This by Zhaquondalee Greer
High School Division:
1st: RoCo To Go by Carson High School entrepreneurship class Cameron Cabrera, J.C. Carpenter, Tommy Dang, Tonny Dang, Jennifer Eury, Grayson Haff, Jon-Marc Overby, Lucas Safrit, Alishia Sears (teacher Colleen Young)
2nd: Red’s Diner/Average Joe’s by Salisbury High School students Zack Bates, Keegan Giste (teacher Tim Pittman)