Enrollment Open for Ohio Business Week 2007

Ohio Business Week (OBW), Ohio’s premier entrepreneurship experience for high school students, is currently accepting applications for its 2007 summer program. A weeklong program managed by the Ohio Business Week Foundation, OBW immerses Ohio high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors in the American free enterprise system.

Hosted by Ohio Dominican University (June 10-16) and Youngstown State University (June 24-20), OBW offers students a professional experience unmatched in the classroom setting.

Research by Harvard University shows that entrepreneurship programs can improve academic achievement. A 2004 study sponsored by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship found a 32 percent increase in attending college by high school students enrolled in entrepreneurship education programs. College graduates, the US Census Bureau says, will earn more than $1 million more in their lives than high school graduates. For high school students, ambitions become reality through hands-on experiences in entrepreneurship.

During OBW, participants are assigned to a “company” with 10-12 other students in order to complete business, financial and marketing plans for a simulated business venture. “Students emerge from OBW with the skills and experience they need to excel in higher education and in the entrepreneurial world,” said Nancy Whetstone, executive director of the Ohio Business Week Foundation.

The program has benefited more than 5,200 students from all Ohio counties, and is recognized by guidance counselors and college admissions staff as a unique and beneficial opportunity. There are nearly 500,000 Ohio students eligible for OBW, but space is limited to 300.

“Each student accepted to OBW receives a $450 scholarship from a business, civic organization, foundation or individual to attend the program,” said Whetstone. Corporate support enables the Foundation to offer OBW at a fraction of the cost of similar summer programs. Principle sponsors of OBW 2007 include Battelle, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and National City.

Applications may be requested via the Foundation’s toll free number (888) 377-7414 or downloaded from the OBW Web site at www.ohiobusinessweek.org. Students may also apply online. Applications should include a personal reference and a short essay. All applications must be postmarked no later than April 30. Students who submit applications postmarked by February 28 will qualify for the $15 “Early Bird” discount.