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Students Participate in National Competition

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Posted on Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Twenty-three Westminster College students participated in the Enactus National Competition April 12-15 in St. Louis, bringing home a first-place division trophy as finalists in the opening round.

Sponsored by Hershey Company, the competition requires each school to present its projects and annual achievements to a panel of judges, explaining the financial/economic needs of the community, what was done to fulfill those needs and the results. 

Westminster presented four projects:

  • Financial Literacy among Juvenile Delinquents was conducted at George Junior Republic, a school for juvenile offenders in nearby Mercer County.  Basic financial literacy skills, including banking services, debit and credit cards, checks, savings and budgeting and taxes, were presented to two classes.  Progress was evaluated using pretests, quizzes and post-tests.
  • Investment Challenge involved visits to 18 classes at seven local schools to teach students how to invest wisely in the stock market.  Using an online simulation game to put lessons into practice, students applied their new-found knowledge and abilities, experiencing the value of research before investing.  One school incorporated the simulation into its regular coursework.
  • Employment Workshop was a collaboration with the Farmville Area Homeschool Program and the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center.  Realizing that not all students have the opportunity to learn skills necessary to develop successful and professional résumés, or receive guidance on proper interview techniques, the Westminster students gave interactive presentations and role-playing exercises that impacted nearly 300 high school students.
  • Farmers’ Market partnered with the Mercer County Farmers’ Market to improve the way its events are promoted.  Westminster students updated the market’s website to make it more attractive, useful and easy to maintain. Then they created a Twitter page and linked to the market’s Facebook page, increasing Facebook “likes” tenfold.  In addition, a new vendor payment plan was developed to increase revenues to the owners of the market, while improving equity in the fee structure among vendors. This project will continue next year to examine the results and meet with vendors to discuss ways to improve the way they sell their products.

The students were accompanied to the competition by David Smith, Westminster associate professor of accounting and the group’s adviser.

“This year’s team probably did more than any other team I have advised at pulling together as a team when it needed to,” Smith said.  “When we arrived in St. Louis, the presentation lacked confidence, polish and depth.  But as a team, we went over and over the presentation to get it right. Speakers presented while other members critiqued. Those not speaking played the role of competition judges, grilling the speakers on ways to improve informational content and presentation style.”

“The effort paid off as the speakers quickly improved,” Smith added.  “When the competition took place, the presentation was near flawless.  The trophy was well earned.”

Contact Smith at 724-946-7161 or email smithdc@westminster.edu for additional information.

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Student Information: 

Acme, PA
Jaclyn Brown, a junior accounting major, is a daughter of Brian and Amy Brown and a graduate of Mount Pleasant Area High School.

Aliquippa, PA
Justin Jackovic, a junior business administration major, is a son of Mark and Kim Jackovic and a graduate of Hopewell High School.

Avella, PA
Jessica Young, a first year accounting and mathematics major, is a daughter of Jacqueline Bell and a graduate of Avella Area High School.

Beaver Falls, PA
Megan Peluso, a first year accounting major, is a daughter of David and Susan Peluso and a graduate of Blackhawk High School.

Bulger, PA
Sarah Smith, a freshman accounting major, is a daughter of Dale and Debra Smith and a graduate of Burgettstown Area High School.

Gibsonia, PA
Rebecca Mobley, a senior business administration major, is a daughter of David and Jane Mobley and a graduate of Pine-Richland High School.

Greensburg, PA
James DeBone, a senior accounting major, is a son of Samuel and Diane DeBone and a graduate of Hempfield Area High School.

Harmony, PA
Nataleigh Kerr, a first year accounting and business administration major, is a daughter of James and Patricia Kerr and a graduate of Seneca Valley High School.

Hollidaysburg, PA
Mariah Turiano, a junior accounting major, is a daughter of Mark and Nicole Turiano and a graduate of Hollidaysburg Area High School.

Imperial, PA
Michael Frankowski, a junior elementary/special education major, is a son of Brian and Devin Frankowski and a graduate of West Allegheny High School.

Indiana, PA
Sean Gibbon, a junior business administration and accounting major, is a son of Donald and Debra Gibbon and a graduate of Indiana Area High School.

Nicholas David Smith, a senior psychology major, is a son of Jonathan and Mary Frances Smith and a graduate of Indiana Area High School.

Nolan Stokes, a junior accounting major, is a son of Gina VanHorn-Stokes and a graduate of Indiana Area High School.

Jamestown, PA
Jennifer Lapinski, a senior political science major, is a daughter of Kenneth Lapinski and a graduate of Kennedy Catholic High School.

Lockhaven, PA
Tyler Sheets, a first year business administration major, is a son of Steve and Rachelle Sheets and a graduate of Central Mountain High School.

Mercer, PA
Darcie Gilson, a junior business administration major, is a daughter of Douglas and Deborah Gilson and a graduate of Mercer Area High School.

New Castle, PA
Zachary Kraus, a senior accounting and financial economics major, is a son of Helmut and Susan Kraus and a graduate of Shenango High School.

Anna Muraca, a first year business administration major, is a daughter of Anthony and Sharon Muraca and a graduate of Neshannock High School.

North Huntingdon, PA
Alyssa Fyock, a sophomore business administration major, is a daughter of Tab and Sheli Fyock and a graduate of Norwin High School.

Oakmont, PA
Sean Provenza, a junior business administration major, is a son of Matthew and Tracy Provenza and a graduate of Riverview High School.

Pittsburgh, PA
Sarah Nutter, a first year English and business administration major, is a daughter of Timothy and Elizabeth Nutter and a graduate of North Hills High School.

Nicole Omeis, a junior accounting major, is a daughter of Michael Omeis and Nancy Omeis and a graduate of Baldwin High School.

New Waterford, OH

Jeffrey McKim, a senior business administration major, is a son of Randall and Karen McKim and a graduate of East Palestine High School.

Monroe, CT
Mary Lacey, a junior accounting major, is a daughter of Thomas and Amy Lacey and a graduate of Masuk High School.