National Entrepreneurship Week Young Wisconsin Entrepreneur 2009 - Nomination Process

The Department of Commerce and the Department of Public Instruction are collaborating to offer recognition for high school students. We want you to tell us about your Young Entrepreneur.

Purpose
To identify and nominate two outstanding high school students who are entrepreneurs.

Eligibility
The student is enrolled in grades 9-12 and has been an entrepreneur for at least one year. He/She has demonstrated growth as an entrepreneur and is selling a product/service that serves a need. He/She is operating a business that will create a job(s) in the future for others. He/She is a creator or inventor of a new process or product that is useable in the marketplace.

Nomination & Submission
Follow these steps to nominate your Young Entrepreneur: (student or teacher nominated and submitted by teacher)

• Fill out the online nomination form by Friday, January 23, 2009 (applications no longer being accepted).
• If your nominee is narrowed to the top 5, they will participate in a half-hour telephone interview with the nominating committee during the last week in January.
• Winners of the Young Entrepreneur will be notified on February 6, 2009.

Nominees
The top two Young Entrepreneurs will:

• receive a certificate of recognition signed by Department of Commerce Secretary Leinenkugel and State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster to add to their portfolio
• receive a plaque signed by Governor Doyle.
• participate in a live, one-hour webcast to answer other young entrepreneur's questions.
• be invited to a recognition luncheon after the event.
• be invited to next year's recognition event.

We look forward to reading about all of the great nominees!

Testimonials
Submitting an application for the Wisconsin Entrepreneur Award is an opportunity to recognize a student for taking calculated personal and fiscal risks. With the need to develop entrepreneurial businesses to ensure the fiscal sustainability of our communities, this honor will encourage more students to act on their dreams. A student selected as the Entrepreneur of the Year is enabled to network and grow their business to new levels. This award can open doors for the student and the instructor when a solid application is selected. I would encourage all instructors to help facilitate their students' business plan. You would be amazed as to what assistance is available for infancy businesses and how one application can send your student soaring.
-- Peggy Skogen, Plum City High School, Agri-Science Instructor

I nominated Natasha Holmes for the 2008 Young Entrepreneur of Wisconsin because I felt this would accord her the recognition she deserved for all her work in her business venture since the eighth grade. I felt this award would also encourage other students interested in business ownership to "go for it". The recognition Natasha received highlighted both in our school and communtity, the achievements of students in planning and organizing a venture and their belief in the American free enterprise system.
-- Linda Plourde, Marketing Educator, Madison West High School

Direct any questions to Carol Dunn at Carol.Dunn@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-0297.