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Two local high school students received recognition in the annual CEO National Pitch Competition.
Allison LaRock, a Hills-Beaver Creek senior, was named to the Top 18 and earned $100.
Mia Wenzel, a junior at Luverne High School, earned $50 for honorable mention, one of 12 submissions so honored.
Both submitted videos promoting their individual businesses created in the yearlong Southwest Minnesota Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities program.
The CEO program introduces participating high school juniors and seniors to various business development processes. A final project is to develop individual businesses.
LaRock created a custom song-writing business named “Hillel,” a Hebrew word for “Praise.”
Her pitch in the 30-second submission included “Have you been seeking the perfect love song? By answering a few simple questions, we would be able to formulate a song that is perfect for you and the one you love.”
LaRock finishes her submission by strumming a ukulele and singing, “Do you have a love story to tell? Hear your love with Hillel.”
Included in the pitch were ways to contact LaRock for her unique service geared toward weddings, funerals, anniversaries or other milestones where a personalized song would add a special significance to an event.
Since launching her social media site in March, LaRock received eight inquiries with four undergoing the song-writing process. The process takes 30 to 60 days to complete at a cost of $250 per song,
She applies her lifelong enjoyment of singing and writing to her new business.
“I LOVE love,” LaRock said. “The reaction I get when people hear their story written and hear it for the first time is pretty emotional.”
This feeling of love has intensified over the past few years at Embrace Church, where LaRock first began as volunteer worship leader and now is an associate.
LaRock said she’s been singing for a long time.
“I always sang as a little girl,” she said.
Often songs were sung with her dad, Dan, who sang to her mom, Marie, at their wedding.
Her lifelong goal is to keep singing as she pursues degrees in mission ministries and communications.
The pitch contest allowed LaRock to place her business front and center.
More than 160 students across the U.S. entered the contest, sponsored through the Midland Institute program. The Midland program partners with local businesses and adult mentors for a personalized, hands-on learning experience.
Wenzel’s business, which was awarded honorable mention, pairs tennis experts with those who want to learn the healthy lifestyle activity.
She calls her business, “Mia’s Legacy Tennis.”
“It’s a sport you can play forever,” she pitched.
This is the third year for the local Southwest CEO program, which is open to students in H-BC, Luverne, Adrian, Ellsworth, Pipestone and Edgerton.
Thirteen of the local CEO students submitted entries to the pitch contest, according to adviser Katie Baustian.
A tradeshow is planned for Wednesday, May 19, from 5 to 8 p.m., when each of the 14 CEO students, including LaRock and Wenzel, will unveil their individual businesses to the public.
The come-and-go event takes place at Grand Prairie Events in Luverne. A coronavirus plan is in place, and masks are encouraged.