Photo courtesy of Lifetouch This group of Youngsville High School juniors earned top honors during Business Week and earned $100 each for their efforts. From row, from left, Sadie Hoffman, Deven Morris, Levi Wright, Amber Evans. Back row, from left, includes Isaac Gourley, Damien Upton, Kyle Price, Brandon Wolcott, and Riley Horner. The business advisor for Live-Long Inc. was Jesse DeLoof. The teacher advisor was Jolene Olewine.

Last week was Business Week at Youngsville High School.

And a group of students walked away with crisp $100 bills for top honors from the week’s worth of effort.

During the week, students faced the challenge of creating and maintaining a company while accomplishing practical tasks within the business world.

Pennsylvania Business Week, put together by Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System, Inc. (ACES) into teams as their new companies. Throughout the week, the companies go through a financial simulator, stockholder meeting, advertising and marketing competition and the final trade show.

“Pennsylvania Business Week was developed in 1997 by the Manufacturer and Business Association in conjunction with Ft. LeBoeuf High School,” according to the ACES website. “Business Week is designed to allow teams of high school students to manage companies through a business simulation for an entire week. Students are taught how to manage finances, execute effective advertising campaigns, and work together as a team to achieve success.”.

Youngsville is one of 10 high schools in region that participates in the program.

“It’s a unique opportunity that has been a long standing tradition/rite of passage for YHS juniors,” YHS Principal Amy Beers said. “This year, they will also fulfill several College and Career Readiness standards through their efforts as entrepreneurs.”

“I truly enjoy watching the kids go from dreading the first day to being sad that it’s over in the end,” she said.

Beers said that business advisors included Jesse DeLoof from School to Work, Natalie Lucks from D&R Bus Co, Jared Vilella from WhirleyDrinkworks!, Kellie Johnson from Valley Bowling Center, and author Judy Sharer while teacher advisors included Jolene Olewine, Kim Means, Monica Linkerhof, and Jody Long.