WAHS Students Display Entrepreneurial Spirit

On June 17 YEScarolina hosted 18 high school students and their teachers from all over the state, several of which were from West Ashley High School, to compete at the State Level of the YEScarolina Business Plan Competition presented by the Mark E. Motley Foundation.
Having won 2nd place at the Regional Competition, recent WAHS graduate Maddy Bessinger was back again to compete with her pet sitting business Eat, Sit, Play. Also returning were WAHS’s Ebony Washington with her business Bow Gal and Caleb Milligan with his business Caleb Alexander — The New Generation of Magic.
YEScarolina is the only organization in South Carolina that teaches students the primary aspects of entrepreneurship. The non-profit organization encourages young people to create their own companies and get a jumpstart on their future. They also train and certify teachers within the state of South Carolina on the subject of entrepreneurship for free.
Caleb Milligan began his business plan presentation by pulling a dove out of his pocket and thoroughly impressing the judges. Having fallen in love with magic when he was just three years old, Milligan has worked hard to perfect his tricks and grow his business. He is an exceptional entertainer and quite the entrepreneur, as he will soon begin selling magic kits and wands in all WonderWorks stores. His drive and passion for his business is just a small part of what won him 2nd place at the YEScarolina State Business Plan Competition and the $2,000 prize.
According to Milligan’s Entrepreneurship teacher, Eva Rutiri, “Caleb is a natural born entertainer and entrepreneur. His drive to excel and promote his business landed him in second place at the YEScarolina State Business Plan Competition.” Milligan competed in three rounds of competition, easily making his way through the first two preliminary rounds beating other student entrepreneurs from around the state. The final round consisted of five outstanding male entrepreneurs, and the top three were awarded seed money for their performance. The top two students, Connor Simonson of Wando High School and Caleb Milligan of WAHS, will represent South Carolina and compete at the 2015 NFTE National Challenge Competition in New York City in October.
For more information regarding the 4th Annual YEScarolina State Business Plan Competition, please contact Donnie Newton, Public Relations Coordinator, at (843).573.1201 ext. 4405.