Since 2003, the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards have recognized and
rewarded high school seniors who already own a small business. The scholarship program is designed to reward
and encourage entrepreneurial talents among high school students. More than 600
students nationwide applied for a YEF scholarship this year with a 100 chosen
to receive a scholarship.
NFIB is proud to award five
scholarships to young entrepreneurs in Wisconsin,
and thank ANIMART, Window Accessory Company, KPMG, Kelly and Jeff Chambers, and
the Wisconsin Leadership Council for their support. The 2015 YEF Award winners from Wisconsin
are:
- Evan Taber (Fremont) is the
owner and operator of Evan David Photography and a student at New London High
School. He created his photography business after studying entrepreneurial
skills and has found success and expansion thanks to his creativity and
knowledge of small business operation. He plans on attending the University of
Wisconsin-Madison after graduation.
- Andrew Pfluger (Green Bay) attends
East High School and has found success with his company, AMP Hobby. By
refurbishing hobby grade radio controlled cars, Andrew has managed to turn his
hobby into a profit. He will be enrolling at the University of Minnesota-Twin
Cities in the fall.
- Austin Solomon (Schofield) founded Clean and Green Lawncare where
he is determined to make a positive impact on his community, the environment
and his customers. After graduating from D C Everest High School, Austin will
attend the University of Wisconsin Extension.
- Rory Cerny (Greenfield) began Rory’s Lawn and Plowing Service
while attending Greenfield High School. His company has now expanded into pool
cleaning and gardening thanks to his recognition that his customers needed
additional services. Rory will be a freshman at University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee next year.
- Jacob Ehlert (Pardeeville) attends
Rio High School and is the owner and operator of Jake’s College Fund Eggs. Jake
expressed a desire to expand his business with additional capital prior to
beginning his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
“It was wonderful to see young people across the state compete for
these scholarships. Each of our winners demonstrated an understanding of what
it takes to successfully run a small business and stood out from their peers as
determined and focused. Wisconsin is lucky to have each and every one of them,
and we are very proud of all our young entrepreneurs,” Said NFIB Wisconsin State Director, Bill G.
Smith.
“America’s young people have caught the entrepreneurial bug, and we
could not be more confident in our next generation of business owners,” said Molly Young, Director of the Young
Entrepreneur Foundation. “We are impressed year after year with the quality
of these hard-working, innovative high school students who are making their
entrepreneurial dreams happen. NFIB
congratulates this year’s winners for their tremendous accomplishments and
hopes the scholarships will assist these young entrepreneurs as they continue
on their paths towards successful futures.”
To get involved in the 2016 Awards by funding a
scholarship or volunteering to interview the students contact Carolyn Hutsen,
NFIB Wisconsin Office of State Public Policy, to find out how you can help in
2016 – phone: 608/255-6083 or email: [email protected].
