Young Entrepreneurs Academy Seeking Applicants

Applications are being accepted to participate in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!).

YEA! started two years ago as a way for the Chamber to make better use of its donated scholarship funds. The Chamber gives a $1,500 scholarship to a local student each year. More scholarship funds are used to pay for the rights to use YEA!, which started in Rochester, NY.

From October to May of each school year, students in sixth through 12th grades meet weekly to brainstorm and select potential business ideas, identify possible funding opportunities, write a business plan, and work with graphic artists to create logos and other materials for their businesses.



According to Chamber Executive Director Dale Perrin, the program aims to:

• Enable students to pursue their dreams by harnessing their creativity and energy.

• Help students transform their ideas into tangible enterprises that create economic and social value for a better world.

• Develop the character of tomorrow's leaders based on personal principles and values.

So far, 16 students have graduated from YEA! and started 12 businesses.

Is your child a budding entrepreneur? Applications are being accepted for the 2011-2012 Academy and are due to the Chamber office by August 31. Applications and additional information can be found on the Chamber’s website. For more information, contact Perrin at (847) 438-5572.