Six local students won cash awards recently during the third annual Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP!) Pitch Competition.
Over the past three months, students worked with mentors through the Oregon Coast Small Business Development Center to learn entrepreneurial thinking, business planning, marketing, and the skills needed to launch and grow a business. The final "Shark Tank" style competition gave students the opportunity to pitch their ideas in front of judges and community members at the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building at Hatfield.
Congratulations to this year’s finalists and winners:
1st Place: Chris Vono, Forest and Fern Natural Art Supply
2nd Place: Jacob Stark, High Tide Music Lab
3rd Place: Henry Vono & Gavyn Paulsen, GH HandMade Lures
4th Place: Griffin Purdom, Driftwood’s Delicious Deliveries
5th Place: James Pearson, The Slide House
The Crowd Favorite award ended in a tie between Chris Vono and Griffin Purdom.
Winning students can use the prizes toward college or starting their business.
We are proud of all of the LCSD students who participated and grateful to Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County, the Oregon Coast Small Business Development Center, Oregon Coast Community College, First Security Bank, and the many community partners who continue to invest in opportunities that help students explore their passions, develop real world skills, and imagine their future right here in Lincoln County.