Brooks White

Your Imagination Is Your Only Limitation

The first annual Siskiyou Future Fest (young entrepreneurs) contest was held on May 6th. Hosted by Siskiyou Works Entrepreneurship Collaborative the event featured more than a dozen Mt. Shasta High and Weed High School students competing for significant prize moneys.

Mt. Shasta High School business math instructor Ben Stern and Weed High School business instructor Joshua Oates prepared students to participate and helped to coordinate the event.

The night’s lineup of scheduled competitors included:

Toni Jauregui- Fine Art Rentals
Cali Grayson and Peyton Belcastro – Sea Cleaner
Betty Cotto and Cali Jewell – Snow Shovel
Audrey Mayberry and Marianne Tafoya – Bitz
Camilla Merkle and Natalia Torres – Basket Boutique
Mathew Mayberry – SkillShaper
Boden Birch – Reply Xperts
Wiley Carver – Func
Jalen Smith and Kaikea Ferguson – Sonar Glasse
Jackie Beltran – Make It
Rhett Zanni – Metal Stamper
Maci Phillips
Nathina Chattin – To Put It Simply
Khampon Ngouyaphanh
Mason Doran-Girard – Cali Pritchard – Pet Care
Adrian – Sushi Go
Julia Haugen – SoapSational
Bryson Obst – Carbage Can

Despite some last minute changes to the competitors list and some minor technical hiccups the evening was a tremendous success.

Our assembled panel of prestigious judges put the competitors through their paces, carefully evaluating each presentation and giving invaluable feedback. The panel included:

Dan Haskins – Director of Career Services at COS
Eva Shepard- Executive Director Chico Start @ Chico State
Sherice L. Bellamy- Business Professor COS
Nancy Swift- Parent
Meski Chandler-Student
Tessa Clure- Former Mayor

Each team was evaluated on their ability to describe their product or service and its unique selling proposition, state the initial investment costs, identify the target demographic, and communicate their market opportunity.

All the presentations were wonderful, but when the smoke cleared the winners were announced and ChicoStart Executive Director Eva Shepherd awarded the prizes.

FIRST PLACE: Audrey Mayberry and Marianne Tafoya with Bitz

SECOND PLACE: Wiley Carver with Func

THIRD PLACE: Matthew Mayberry with SkillSharper

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Nathina Chattin with To Put It Simply