Two teams and two individuals walked away with cash prizes following the finals of the 2024 Arkansas Tech University High School Business Challenge at Doc Bryan Student Services Center Lecture Hall in Russellville on Thursday, March 28.
Participants were asked to develop a business start-up or expansion idea.
Two groups — Getaway Arcade of Dardanelle High School and Magic Moments of Russellville High School — tied for first place in the team competition. Both teams received $375.
Getaway Arcade team members were Ashlee Loaeza, Faithlynn Metcalf and Maribel Tenango.
Magic Moments team members were Matilyn Christopher and Shyisha Willis.
First place in the individual competition and $500 went to Christopher Brown of Russellville High School for his concept “River Valley Street Eats.”
Second place in the individual competition and $250 was captured by Alaina Reeves of Rison High School for her idea “Gnome Home Farms.”
Criteria for judging included the team’s or the individual’s business start-up or expansion idea, their presentation organization and structure, their marketing plan, the potential for profitability, their ability to address and obtain resources, their professionalism and their ability to provide quality answers to questions.
This was the 12th year for the ATU High School Business Challenge, which is administered by the ATU School of Business. Thirty-five teams entered the competition. Ten finalists representing the high schools in Bryant, Dardanelle, Rison and Russellville were invited to the finale.
Judges for the 2024 ATU High School Business Challenge were Ronda Hawkins, director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center regional office at ATU; Dr. Stephen Jones, ATU professor of management; and Thomas Pennington, ATU professor of legal studies.
The competition was sponsored by Pope County Farm Bureau, Textbook Brokers and the ATU School of Business.
Visit www.atu.edu/business to learn more about the ATU College of Business and Economic Development.
