Highlands Students Selected to Attend 2020 Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs

If all goes well, the 2020 Governor's School for Entrepreneurs will be held on the NKU campus this summer, yet organizers say they will adjust plans as information unfolds. (Img: GSE/NKU) 

By Robin Gee

Three Highlands High School students are among a select group who have been invited to attend the 2020 Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs this summer.

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The program, sponsored by the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, announced that Andrew Kidd, Quinton Webby and Noah Wormald have received invitations to the participate. A highly competitive program, only 72 students were selected to attend from a field of 700 students across the state.

Due to the current virus restrictions, it is yet uncertain whether the July program will go on as planned, but organizers shared this statement in their announcement: "COVID-19 has brought new challenges for us all. As entrepreneurs, we love challenges. We also know that entrepreneurs are needed now more than ever before. But, above everything, we value your safety and well being..."

Program staff stated they will continue to monitor the situation and will have a clearer picture in the coming weeks. Until then, plans are moving ahead to hold the events on the Northern Kentucky University campus from July 12 to August 1. Again, program planners are remaining flexible and details of adjustments will be shared with the participants as information becomes available, the statement said.

What is the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs?

Designed to encourage and foster innovation and entrepreneurship among high school students, the summer residential immersion program offers opportunities for students to explore and learn firsthand about the ins and outs of starting a business. In particular, students learn to refine, develop and pitch their ideas and to draw up a business plan.

Students work in teams to develop their ideas and work on their plans throughout the first weeks of the program. At the end, they present their ideas before an audience and a panel of judges. The top three ideas receive monetary awards of $500, $750 and $1,000 to get them started.

Through partnerships with colleges, the program also provides more than $2.7 million in scholarship funding opportunities to Kentucky high school students each year. Since 2013, more than 350 student entrepreneurs have received scholarship funding through the program.

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