Page 12 | June 2015
Sandy City Journal
SANDY CHAMBER CORNER
Sandy Chamber Young Entrepreneurs Investor Panel Shark Tank Event
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he event of the year has come and gone for 24 Sandy Chamber Young Entrepreneurs. The Young Entrepreneurs Academy Investor Panel Shark Tank Event was held at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium on May 6, 2015 with hundreds in attendance. At the event, the aspiring CEOs pitched their business ideas to a premier panel of 10 local business and education leaders for real funding and scholarships. With a pool of $12,500 in potential funding, a $1,000 scholarship to the U of U Lassonde Institute, a $500 shopping spree to Sam’s Club, Laura and McKinley, Co-CEOs of Socquet, being awarded $1,600.00 in funding for their business and a chance to compete at YEA semi-finals in Phoenix, Ariz. and Laura, CEOs of Socquet. Laura and McKinley will be competing at the YEA semifinals in Phoenix, Ariz. on Friday, May 15, 2015. To follow their journey through semi-finals and into finals, follow them on Instagram at www.instagram.com/playsocquet. For product information, visit www.PlaySocquet.com. All of the 2014-2015 Sandy Chamber YEA students at the YEA Investor Panel Shark Tank Event. free VIP Prototyping with Salt Lake Community College, and an opportunity to move on to semi-finals in Phoenix, Ariz., created a fierce competition between the 15 businesses that were presenting. All businesses that presented were awarded a portion of the $12,000 funding pool. The winners of the $500 Sam’s Club shopping spree were Peter and Ethan, CEOs of We Change Filters. The free VIP prototyping with SLCC was awarded to Cameron, CEO of CampLite, and Ben and Cannon, CEOs of Board Armor USA. Peyton, CEO of Pull and Fit Trashbags, was awarded the prestigious $1,000 scholarship to the U of U Lassonde Studios. And last, but not least, the grand winners of the YEA Investor Panel Shark Tank Event were McKinley
Our “Sharks” (from right to left): Mike Winder, Zions Bank; Kathy Hajeb, U of U Lassonde Institute; Fred Kraut, Rocky Mountain Care; Jed Call, Utah Media Group; Amy Rees Anderson, Rees Capital; Karen Gunn, Salt Lake Community College; Matt Sterbenz, 4frnt Skis; Brent Andersen, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium; Jeff Barnes, J & J Technical; Corey Thayn, BD Medical.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) is an after-school program for 11-18 year old students to learn how to build a business. This is not vocational training, but real-world experience as the students’ build a full formed and functioning business. Through a six month course, these students choose to form a business with a business partner, go on field trips and have guest speakers, and mentored by business professionals in the community. A highlight of the program is the Investor Panel event where the students pitch their polished business plans to 10 investors for real funding. At the end of the program, the students launch their businesses and graduate as CEOs. If you would like to be a student of the 2015-2016 Sandy Chamber Young Entrepreneurs Academy, contact Kimberly Watkins at 801-727-4504 or KimberlyWatkins@SandyChamber. com. Applications are being accepted now!
Ribbon Cutting Transamerica Agency Network, located at 756 E Winchester, Suite 170, Salt Lake City, UT 84107, is a company who strives to create a better financial future for all individuals in all walks of life.
Educating Youth About Civic Responsibility
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or six days in June, Weber State University will host hundreds of girls selected for The Girls State program, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, to educate youth about civic responsibilities and the ins and outs of government processes. The selected students have participated in mock trials, elections, music, sports and seminars with public officials. In addition, each girl ran for office on a city, county and state level, devoting their time to learning how government functions. Girls State delegates selected two senators to represent them later this year at Girls State Nationals, held in Washington, D.C. The 11 girls selected comprised a collective from Alta, American Fork, Hillcrest and Jordan High Schools; they were chosen by the Sandy American Legion Auxiliary, Post 77.
By Lewi Lewis The representatives for each school are as follows: Sara Senior and Mallory Christensen; Alta High Lyndee Ledesma, Paige Nelson, Jessica Valletta, Baylie Draper and Katherine “Sophie” Will; Corner Canyon Wendy Packer and Sara Munzert, Hillcrest Kari Schott, Bertita Vilchez; Jordan High Upon completion of the program, each girl has the opportunity to earn three semester hour credits in political science to use toward a university of their choice. But more than that, they will gain a greater understanding of the democratic process and earn a deeper patriotism for their country.
Girls State Citizens 2015 (Left to Right): Lyndee Ledesma, Mallory Christensen, Sara Munzert, Paige Nelson, Kari Schott, Jessica Valletta, Wendy Packer. Not pictured: Sophie Will, Sara Senior, Baylie Draper, Bertita Vilchez.