(Lawrenceburg, IN) – More than 120 high school students from across Southeastern Indiana gathered at the Ivy Tech Community College Lawrenceburg Riverfront Campus recently for the inaugural Emerge: Young Innovators Summit.
Genesis: Pathways to Success hosted the entrepreneurship and business education event, which is designed to empower young innovators.
Organizers say the summit provided a unique and enriching learning experience that sets the stage for future success.
Students from Oldenburg Academy, Batesville, East Central, Jac-Cen-Del, Lawrenceburg, Rising Sun, and South Ripley high schools participated in a variety of breakout sessions covering topics such as the legal aspects of business, financial planning, marketing strategies, creativity, professional communication, the value of mentorships, ethical use of Artificial Intelligence, and more.
Attendees were able to take advantage of networking opportunities and have free professional head shots taken (pictured).
“The Emerge: Young Innovators Summit was a transformative event for high school students, bringing together experts from diverse industries to share their knowledge and inspire the next generation of business leaders,” said Cayden Pohlman, External Relations and Program Development Intern of Genesis: Pathways to Success. “With guest speakers from a variety of industries like the Newport Aquarium, Dale Carnegie Leadership Training, and the region’s Economic Development Corporations, students had the opportunity to engage with professionals, gain valuable insights, and cultivate the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-evolving world.”
Organizers say a highlight of the day was the Riverside Chat, featuring a diverse panel of professionals from various fields who shared experiences from their entrepreneurial journeys. Their stories provided students with valuable perspectives on the challenges and rewards of different career paths. Keynote Speaker Chase Slepak inspired the audience with his entrepreneurial career, motivating students to pursue their business aspirations with determination and resilience.
The D.I.C.E. (Dreams, Ingenuity, Creativity, & Entrepreneurship) Challenge booth, powered by Genesis: Pathways to Success, introduced students to a high school entrepreneurial competition where participants can pitch business ideas for a potential investment in their futures. The STARTedUP Foundation’s Innovate WithIN program also encouraged students to adopt an “opportunities are everywhere” mindset, empowering the next generation of leaders to drive innovation within their communities and beyond.
Genesis is thanking Ivy Tech Community College – Lawrenceburg Riverfront Campus for hosting the event, as well as sponsors and partners, including the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Oldenburg Academy and Jason Walke, who turned his vision into a reality.
Emerge: Young Innovators Summit will return next year.
To learn more about Emerge or if you have any questions, please contact Clarice Patterson by emailing [email protected], calling (812) 933-1098, or stopping by the office at 13 E. George Street, Suite B in Batesville.
