Finalists selected for 2007 Invention Convention

Author: Dennis Brown

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Five finalists have been selected for the fifth annual Invention Convention youth business plan competition, scheduled for 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. April 10 (Tuesday) in Giovanini Commons at the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.

Conducted by Notre DamesGigotCenterfor Entrepreneurial Studies and Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC), the event will feature finalists from South Bend Community School Corporation high schools competing for $1,000 in cash prizes. The participants will present business plans of their own design, and Notre Dame undergraduate and MBA students will serve as mentors and event judges. The event is free and open to the public.

Throughout the school year,GigotCenterand RCLC students and staff have worked with young people fromSouth Bendhigh schools to enhance their business, academic and life skills through an entrepreneurship curriculum provided by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship. The program seeks to cultivate a spirit of entrepreneurialism by providing innovative learning experiences, both in and out of the classroom.The program culminates with the Invention Convention.

This is a great event because it allows the high school students to present the fruits of their hard work to an audience,said Brittany Clingen, a member of the Notre Dame Entrepreneurship Club and the event coordinator.

Christian Guzman, who organizes the mentoring program, added:The Invention Convention is an opportunity for Notre Dame and local high school students tocollaborate in a learning environment. It helps students at theRobinsonCenterbecome innovative in their ideas and build skills required for a future career path in entrepreneurship. Its also a great way for Notre Dame students to become involved in the community.

The competition finalists, project titles and schools are:

  • Carmen Erickson,Club Expression,ClayHigh School
  • KeiLara Kelley,Kiddie Kare and Mommys Hair,ClayHigh School
  • Ashley Hackworth,All About You,ClayHigh School
  • Jimmy Kouzios,KouziosCatering,ClayHigh School
  • Angelett Wells,Take Ten Project Management,WashingtonHigh School

_ Contact: Jessica McManus Warnell,CollegeofBusinessprogram manager, (574) 631-9182, jmcmanus@nd.edu
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