May 30, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas Recognizes KCK Students for Business Ventures

Twenty-five students from the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools were recognized for their entrepreneurial skills and business planning on May 22 during the Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEK) Dreams to Dividends awards ceremony. The annual event honors business plan competition and scholarships winners among area students as well as outstanding teachers and volunteers.

Among the honorees were students who won a total of $6,700 in venture capital grants for their business ideas. The winners along with their schools, amount of award, business name and type are:

• Vonda Sayavongsone, J.C. Harmon High School, $1,000, LS Delicacy, Asian restaurant
• London Swygert, Washington High School, $900, Dress 4 Success, men's clothing store
• Raquel Walters, J.C. Harmon High School, $800, Salon Chique, beauty salon
• Maria Ramirez, Wyandotte High School, $600, Flower Creations, flower shop
• Francisco Hernandez, J.C. Harmon High School, $600, Kansas Soccer, soccer equipment/apparel
• Jansmine Rasco, F.L. Schlagle High School, $500, Nikhols Pros, school t-shirts
• Jade Reynolds, F.L. Schlagle High School, $400, Kidz Way, day care
• Lateia Green, F.L. Schlagle High School, $400, Kidz Inc., child care center day care
• Toliver Green, F.L. Schlagle High School, $400, Green's Lawn Care, lawn care service
• Daniel Kirkpatrick, Wyandotte High School, $400, Savage Entertainment, music recording studio
• Jasmine Starr, Washington High School, $300, Rhythm & Rhymes, music store
• Brian Kramer, J.C. Harmon High School, $200, Kramer Transmission, transmission repair
• Perla Ramos, J.C. Harmon High School, $100, Perla's Wedding Planning, wedding planning/consulting
• Iduara Chaparro, J.C. Harmon High School, $100, Araudi's Model Agency, modeling agency

Also at the awards ceremony, 11 KCK students received scholarships based on their involvement with the program and several other factors. The students, their high schools, scholarship amounts and post-secondary schools are:

• Angela Davis, Wyandotte High School, $500, Johnson County Community College
• Justin Davis, Wyandotte High School, $500, undecided
• Wendy Pedraza, Wyandotte High School, $500, Donnelly College
• Maria Lozada, Wyandotte High School, $500, Donnelly College
• Antonio Moore, Wyandotte High School, $500, undecided
• Antwoinette Sipple, Schlagle High School, $500, undecided
• Cory Hays, Wyandotte High School, $1,000, University of Kansas
• David Hervey, Wyandotte High School, $1,000, ATS
• Shakila Brown, J.C. Harmon High School, $1,000, Kansas City, Kansas Community College
• Arnold Caldwell, J. C. Harmon High School, $2,000, Kansas State University
• Sandra Farnan, J.C. Harmon High School, $2,000, Donnelly College

YEK also gave out special awards to KCKPS staff members, and schools. They included:

• YEK Teacher of the Year: Leslie Brown, Wyandotte High School
• Ambassador of the Year (YEK graduate): Francisco Cruz, F. L. Schlagle High School
• Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: Julian Batts, F. L. Schlagle High School
• Star Award (volunteer recognition): Lori Hewitt, Work-based Learning Specialist, KCKPS
• YEK Program of the Year, Northeast Region: J.C. Harmon High School

YEK is a non-profit organization that works with public schools, teaching business and entrepreneurial skills in the classroom.