International Youth Entrepreneurship Scholarship Competition 2013 Winners, Lauren Benites and Stefanie Tellez, Jose E. Gonzalez of the SD County Office of Education, First Place Winner Bethany Shedrick, Miguel Vasquez of the California Foundation Fund, and Dr. Guadalupe Corona of Alliant International University.
The Mexican Consul of San Diego, in collaboration with Alliant International University, the City of National City, the City of Chula Vista, San Diego County Office of Education, California Foundation Fund, San Diego Center for International Trade Development (CITD) and other community-based organizations put together the International Youth Entrepreneurship Scholarship Competition, part of the annual week-long financial literacy program, Financial Education Week (FEW), held for the community each spring.
This unique program targets San Diego County high school seniors who are identified through an application process as promising young entrepreneurs. Selected students participate in a three-day mini course focused on entrepreneurship and leadership training. The program and its curriculum was created by The California Foundation Fund and taught at Alliant by senior faculty in the School of Management & Leadership.
More than 100 applications were received, of which 31 students were accepted to the course, and, due to the intense nature of the classes, only 21 participants fully completed. On the final day of the program, students participated in a business plan competition for a chance to win scholarships ranging from $250 to $1000 and an iPad.
A panel of judges comprised of local business professionals scored the presentations and selected winners, who were announced during the closing ceremony held on April 27, 2013. The winning students were:
Bethany Shedrick, High Tech High
Lauren Benites, Sweetwater High
Stefanie Tellez, Otay Ranch High
As an added bonus, each of the 21 students who completed the competition were offered conditional employment, including tuition reimbursement, from Wells Fargo Bank.
"Partnering with the California Foundation Fund helps Alliant fulfill its mission of community engagement. This competition prepares our next generation of leaders to build businesses and increase job opportunities in our community. These students have received a wealth of experience and business skills that will help them succeed in life," said Dr. Guadalupe Corona, systemwide director of the Latino Achievement Initiative at Alliant International University, "We look forward to hosting this competition again in 2014."
Additional supporters of the program included Wells Fargo Bank, San Diego Gas and Electric, Point Loma County Credit Union, ClearPoint Credit Counselors, Neighborhood National Bank and Procopio.
