A&M International's YES Camp Students Present Business Plans

Local and area high school students who participated in a summer-long camp to get a taste of the business world will learn a little more about their entrepreneurial abilities as they present their "business plan" at a contest scheduled for Thursday, July 1 at Texas A&M International University.

Two groups of 1999 Youth Entrepreneurship Summer Camp (YES) students will make presentations on topics ranging from operating a tortilla factory to running a mariachi entertainment before two bankers who will evaluate their proposals. The event is scheduled from 9 - 11 a.m. in Pellegrino Hall 205 and from 2 - 4 p.m. in Pellegrino Hall 204.

The bankers, from Norwest and Laredo National Banks, will choose the best business plan based on the proposals' overall organization and presentation, strength of their market analysis and the completeness and accuracy of financial projections. Students will present their plans and answer questions posed by the judges on the content of their plans. In addition, the judges will critique plans, providing students with feedback on various aspects of their proposals.

Authors of the best business plan will receive a $250 cash award.

Business plan topics also include a customized jewelry store, day-care center, customized tie-shirt store, ice-skating ring, youth music academy, youth tutoring service, specialized cake store, specialized snack food store, coffee house and pet shop.

Dr. Michael Patrick, professor of economics, director and instructor of the YES Camp, said by taking the course, students are learning how to bridge the gab between their dreams and reality regarding business success.

"Through class assignments and a required business plan, students have come to appreciate the many difficulties and uncertainties that business people face daily in their efforts to make a profit," Patrick said.

Participants of the YES Camp will also attend an awards and recognition ceremony Thursday, July 2 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Pellegrino Hall 116. At the ceremony, students will be awarded a certificate of recognition for having completed the class and corporate sponsors will be recognized for the role they played in the program's success.

This year's corporate sponsors include Norwest Bank, Laredo National Bank, South Texas National Bank, Laredo Development Foundation and the Laredo Manufacturing Association.

For further information, please call Dr. Michael Patrick, professor of economics, at 326-2515. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu