CSU–Pueblo seeks students for annual Pueblo Apprentice 2 contest

Pueblo- Students from kindergarten through high school who are enrolled at a school or home-schooled in Pueblo Country are encouraged to show off their business skills by entering the 2nd annual Pueblo Apprentice competition sponsored by the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) club at Colorado State University – Pueblo and Pueblo Downtown Association, Little Caesars Pizza, The City of Pueblo, Vectra Bank, LDC Properties, DD Marketing, Castle Investment, Junior Achievement, and CSU-Pueblo SIFE. Last year’s mentor, Louie Carleo, has passed the reigns to Dave Feamster, owner of Little Caesar’s Pizza in Pueblo.

SIFE Faculty Advisor Mike Wakefield, an assistant professor in the Hasan School of Business, said that the 2006 version of Pueblo Apprentice will use a different format from last year. This year’s Apprentice is a fundraiser for scholarships that is based on entrepreneurial activities. Students will be given $20 seed money, provided by the Pueblo Downtown Association, to start their own “business,” and will have until December 8 to operate this “business” and turn in the proceeds. Students will be required to file periodic financial statements to demonstrate regular business activity.

“The businesses students may operate are limited only by their imaginations, as long as they are legal and ethically operated,” said Wakefield.

Grand prize for the contest is a $10,000 college scholarship for Pueblo Community College and/or CSU-Pueblo, or up to $10,000 in seed money to start a business. Students will compete in three divisions for Pueblo Apprentice 2006: Kindergarten – 8th grade, 9-12, and collegiate with prizes of $500; $300 and $100 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively for each division. Students also will receive a stipend of 10 percent of proceeds for all cash that is collected at the contest’s end. Remaining proceeds will be used for business scholarships for PCC and CSU-Pueblo students.

To enter the competition, students must attend an orientation workshop this Saturday (Sept. 9) at at Vectra Bank, 200 West First Street, Downtown Pueblo. Feamster will address the students to inspire them in their entrepreneurial pursuits. Students will be issued Official Pueblo Apprentice I.D. badges and $20 to start their business. Students must bring their social security card, and students under 18 years of age must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. Pueblo Apprentice 2006 is open to the first 150 students who sign up, so students should attend the orientation and arrive on time.

CSU-Pueblo SIFE students will offer workshops on Saturday mornings during September at various banks in the downtown area, with locations to be announced. The workshops will help
students explore business ideas and provide guidance with preparing paper work. Official rules are available online at www.studentclubs.colostate-pueblo.edu/sife or through Wakefield at michael.wakefield@colostate-pueblo.edu, or (719)549-2933.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.