In June several Luverne High School students participated in a weeklong business, career and financial literacy camp called Minnesota Business Venture (MBV).
They are Seno Chanthalangsy, Alexa Chesley, Lilli Donohue, Jacinda Hustoft, Lindsey Roemeling, Solveig Tofteland and Jordan Winter.
The local K.A.H.R. Foundation provided the sponsorship for the students to attend the program developed by BestPrep, a Minnesota nonprofit dedicated to preparing students for college, work and careers.
The K.A.H.R. Foundation is a family foundation started in 2005 by Jeannine M. Rivet and Luverne native Warren G. Herreid II for philanthropic endeavors.
More than 350 high school students from 100 schools received scholarships to participate at one of two MBV sessions at the University of St. Thomas or St. John’s University in July.
At MBV, small groups of students organized “companies” and spent the week developing an imaginary product or service. The students created a business plan and presented to a panel of professionals with the hopes of gaining a loan approval.
A few product ideas included an automatic reflective shield for cars to block out sun and heat, and an intelligent chip that transforms insulin pumps into a smarter artificial pancreas, and a solar-powered and chargeable phone case. Students in each company were mentored and guided throughout the week by professionals from local companies.
“Minnesota Business Venture taught me that values drive success,” one student shared.
“It isn’t about your background or experience, it’s about having an idea and a dream, and having the confidence to pursue it and make it a reality.”
The students engaged in other activities throughout the week, with projects being organized by day in a thematic approach, including Dare to Dream Day, Entrepreneur Day, Career Day, Financial Freedom Day, Youth Empowerment Day and Future Focus Day.
The students listened to inspiring keynote addresses, learned about money management and career opportunities, and participated in mock interviews.
Throughout the program, more than 180 volunteers came to MBV to share their experiences and business insights with the future workforce by volunteering as breakout session presenters, mock interviewers, financial advisers and more.
The speakers covered a wide range of topics such as managing personal finance, experiences in entrepreneurship and building a personal brand.
“MBV is a great opportunity for students to put themselves in the shoes of both a college student and a business professional,” said MBV Program Manager Janae Olinger.
“Participating in a mock interview, working in diverse teams, communicating with adults, and speaking in public are all ways students at camp set themselves up for success in school and in their futures.”
Since BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture started in 1981, it and has more than 11,000 program alumni.
MBV is sponsored by many other companies and organizations including The Allstate Foundation, Cargill, General Mills Foundation, and Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota.
Summer 2020 sessions will occur on July 12-17 at the University of St. Thomas and July 26-31 at St. John’s University. Registration will open in January 2020.
BestPrep is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that prepares students for business, career and financial literacy. BestPrep offers seven innovative programs and has served more than 1.7 million students and teachers since its creation in 1976.