05/29/2007
CONTACT: Mandy Minick, 614-221-4107
Graduating High School Seniors Each Receive $1,000 for College
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation today announced the Ohio recipients of the fifth annual NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards, a scholarship program to set future small-business owners on the path to entrepreneurship. The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award recipients will attend the university, college, community college or vocational/technical institute of their choice with $1,000 in tuition assistance from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation.
The program which encourages students to consider a career in small business, made its debut in 2003 when it awarded a total of 110 scholarships nationwide. This year 422 scholarships will be awarded, thanks to financial support from numerous small-business leaders, corporate and foundation supporters. The major corporate sponsors are Visa USA, The Wells Fargo Foundation and Salesgenie.com.
"We are overjoyed by the tremendous amount of interest in our scholarship program. This year more than 3,000 students applied to receive a YEF award, demonstrating that the entrepreneurship spirit continues to thrive in America," said Don V. Cogman, chair, NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Board of Directors. "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."
In addition to the 422 $1,000 scholarships, NFIB YEF and Visa USA will also be awarding four $5,000 scholarships to this year's semifinalists and one $10,000 scholarship to the student selected as the "2007 Young Entrepreneur of the Year" at a dinner held in Washington, D.C., on June 5.
To earn a scholarship, students were required to write an essay describing their entrepreneurial endeavors and future goals. Standardized test scores, GPA and class rank were also considered. NFIB members around the country nominated applicants for the Young Entrepreneur Awards.
NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards:
- Ridgedale High School senior Jay Cowell of Marion.
- Granville High School senior Kelsey of Granville.
- Bowling Green High School senior Amy Shuler of Bowling Green.
NFIB/VISA USA Young Entrepreneur Awards:
- Perkins High School senior David Cullen of Sandusky.
- University School senior Matthew Frazier of Chagrin Falls.
- Notre Dame Cathedral Latin School senior Jeffrey Lelko of Chardon.
- Ottoville High School senior Dominic Miller of Cloverdale.
- Evergreen High School senior Clayton Salsbury of Metamora.
NFIB/Wells Fargo Young Entrepreneur Award:
- Bishop Hartley High School senior Ariana Young of Columbus.
NFIB/Daniel J. Mirto Young Entrepreneur Award:
- Ontario High School senior Marcus Phelps of Mansfield.
NFIB/Henry J. Kopcial Young Entrepreneur Award:
- Ashland High School senior Lee Brucato of Ashland.
NFIB/Joanie Kovach Memorial Young Entrepreneur Award:
- Mother of Mercy High School senior Sara Fahey of Cincinnati.
NFIB/Edward and Frances Patterson Young Entrepreneur Award:
- Strongsville High School senior Katherine Harding of Strongsville.
NFIB/Mineral Ridge Young Entrepreneur Award:
- Mineral Ridge High School senior Jessica Warneke of Mineral Ridge.
