News
Mohonasen leaders welcome Young Entrepreneurs Academy into classrooms
Sept. 9, 2010
This
fall, a group of Mohonasen High School students are taking part in
an innovative new program that will guide them through the process
of starting their own, real business.
The program, called The Young Entrepreneurs Academy – or YEA! – was
originally developed by the University of Rochester with support
from the Marion Kauffman Foundation. By the end of the class,
students will own and operate a fully-formed and functioning
business, which may be carried on after they graduate from the
program. The YEA! program can currently be found in colleges and
high schools across the country.
“We are excited about the expansion of our program and specifically
chose Mohonasen because of its dedication to college-preparatory
programs,” said Gayle Jagel, the CEO and founder of the Young
Entrepreneurs Academy. Jagel developed the YEA! program in 2004,
while serving as the Director of the Office of Special Programs at
the University of Rochester. In 2008, YEA! “spun-off” from the
University to create its own not-for-profit corporation, YEA! Inc.
“This program is a great opportunity to advance our students’
business education,” Academic Administrator for Guidance Christopher
Ruberti said. “Our goal is to eventually provide a unique and
challenging experience for all students who are interested in
participating.”
At Mohonasen High School, the program will be taught by business
education teacher Latefa Lang.
Throughout the next nine months, the “young executives” will
brainstorm and form their enterprises with the help of community
business leaders. They will then work to obtain funding and register
their companies with governmental agencies—and then actually launch
their own company.
Program mentors and investors are currently being sought. Community
members/local business leaders who are interested in getting
involved should contact Mr. Ruberti at 356-8221.
In addition, the program needs graphic designers and web developers
to help create websites for the student-run businesses next spring.
“One of the best components of the program is the actual behind the
scenes knowledge that the students receive from local business
leaders, who were at one time standing in their shoes,” Ruberti
said. “This experience is something they will be able to apply to
whatever field they choose to enter, thereby giving them necessary
skills to become future leaders of industry.”
