Some Arkansas-side junior high students have been excelling.

The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF) announced the 25 teams advancing to the final round of the 11th annual Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S.) for Arkansas Business Plan Competition. And two teams from North Heights Junior High Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy placed in the top 25 and will go on to compete in the 2016 Y.E.S. for Arkansas Business Expo on January 22.

Y.E.S., created in 1999 by the Arkansas Capital Corporation, is a project-based learning opportunity for Arkansas junior high and high school students. Participants discover what real-world opportunities and realities that entrepreneurs and small-business owners experience in their efforts to launch and grow successful and profitable businesses.
“We are excited to be in the top 25,” said team sponsor Elaine Denmon. “There were over 220 teams from 17 counties and 29 school districts that entered the competition, so being a finalist feels very rewarding. Now it is time for us to prepare for the competition in January.”
The teams will have a month to prepare for the Y.E.S. Arkansas Expo Day, which will be held at Park Plaza in Little Rock. At Expo Day, teams will have booths to display and demonstrate their products and services for both Park Plaza patrons and a team of judges. Teams’ booths will be scored in two categories: Best Marketing Piece and Best Retail Booth Display. Awards will be presented to the top four teams following the event.
“The Y.E.S. project is a perfect way to ‘scream the theme’ of our magnet school and showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of our students, Principal Theresa Cowling said. “This is a big win for our students.”

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