AROUND THE REGION/AROUND THE NATION June 9, 2006 LOCAL TEEN TURNS LIFE AROUND BY LEARNING ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STARTING A BUSINESS Eighteen-year-old Tia Jones, just finishing up 10th grade <strong>at</strong> Suitland High School in Forestville, Maryland, was on the verge <strong>of</strong> giving up and dropping out <strong>of</strong> school just 10 months ago. Dealing with difficult and overwhelming problems <strong>at</strong> home, Tia was trying her best just to survive and secure workable living arrangements, let alone trying to deal with the typical school challenges th<strong>at</strong> face all teens her age. But today, the light in Tia’s eyes shine brightly again; and for the first time in a long while, she has hope and is filled with purpose. No longer is Tia considering quitting school; in fact she’s determined to go on to college one day and major in business management. On Friday, May 19, Tia placed third in the Gre<strong>at</strong>er Washington, DC <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the N<strong>at</strong>ional Found<strong>at</strong>ion for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) 25th semi-annual “Regionwide Business Plan Competition,” where she competed with five other student finalists in hopes <strong>of</strong> receiving seed capital investment for their businesses. Tia’s third place victory earned her $1,000 to grow her start-up, “Just Tia,” a company th<strong>at</strong> designs and constructs one<strong>of</strong>-a-kind purses distinguished by their use <strong>of</strong> denim, their unique antique ornaments, belted handles, and unusual shapes and sizes. Tia’s handcrafts each purse herself, as well as accepts custom orders whereby buyers can choose from a variety <strong>of</strong> decor<strong>at</strong>ive options. She has already sold more than 60 custom purses, netting $1,800 to help her <strong>The</strong> Maritime Heritage Festival is June 17 <strong>at</strong> Historic St. Mary’s City. Sailors and landlubbers alike can enjoy exploring big ships and tiny bo<strong>at</strong>s, experimenting with nautical knots, singing a sea shanty, and sculpting a sea monster. <strong>The</strong> annual celebr<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> all things nautical takes place <strong>at</strong> Historic St. Mary’s City beginning <strong>at</strong> 10:00a.m. Unique small craft visiting from throughout the tidew<strong>at</strong>er region will join the Maryland Dove <strong>at</strong> HSMC’s beautiful w<strong>at</strong>erfront. Visitors can meet bo<strong>at</strong> builders and sailors <strong>of</strong> hand-crafted vessels and take a 60-minute cruise on the Dee <strong>of</strong> St. Mary’s, an authentic Chesapeake skipjack, with Captain Jackie Russell. Sailors should reserve space ahead by calling 240-895-4960. <strong>The</strong> skipjack will sail <strong>at</strong> 12:30, 2, 3:30 and 5p.m. and passage is $7 for children under age 12 and $15 for adults. Model maker Ray Miles will be on site with detailed scale replicas <strong>of</strong> contemporary and traditional craft, “colonial” sailors will entertain the crowd with yarns about their travels, and there will be plenty <strong>of</strong> activities to keep big and little hands busy. Try begin her business, which means “everything in the world” to her. NFTE, a nonpr<strong>of</strong>it organiz<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong> teaches business, academic and life skills to young people from low-income communities, holds a DC regionwide competition <strong>at</strong> the end <strong>of</strong> each school semester <strong>at</strong> the culmin<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> its 80-hour “Mini-MBA” entrepreneurship curriculum. Throughout the year, NFTE provides school-based and after-school programs to teach youth how to start and oper<strong>at</strong>e their own businesses. At the end <strong>of</strong> each semester, all students are required to write a business plan. After each program holds its own “in-class” competition, those winning students go on to compete in the Regionwide Business Plan Competition, where top finalists vie for $150 to $1,500 in seed capital investment. But this year competition was unusually stiff, and the 13 high-pr<strong>of</strong>ile and respected business leaders, led by Ted Leonsis, who g<strong>at</strong>hered <strong>at</strong> the AOL Headquarters to serve as judges were so impressed by Tia and her peers’ business plan present<strong>at</strong>ions, decided on the spot to up the ante and voted to double the cash prizes by pooling their own money for these exceptional teens. <strong>The</strong> competition’s finalists had 10 minutes to present their business plans to the panel <strong>of</strong> judges who scored them on such criteria as pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism/ passion, competitive edge, business financials, goals/vision and marketing. This year’s full-sl<strong>at</strong>e <strong>of</strong> student winners are: MARITIME HERITAGE FESTIVAL • Aaron Sacks, owner <strong>of</strong> You’re On Deck, Montgomery Blair High School (First Place—$3,000) • Thomas Dent, owner <strong>of</strong> Fine Foto, Montgomery Blair High School (Second Place—$1,500) • Tia Jones, owner <strong>of</strong> Just Tia, Suitland High School (Third Place— $1,000) • Ryan Andrews, owner Tank Solutions, Montgomery Blair High School (Runner-Up—$300) • Jorge Quinteros, owner <strong>of</strong> JAQ’s Video, Marshall Academy (Runner- Up—$300) • Ryan Wheeler, owner <strong>of</strong> Exquisite Cre<strong>at</strong>ions, Northwestern High School (Runner-Up—$300) Tia’s third place victory assures her particip<strong>at</strong>ion in NFTE’s N<strong>at</strong>ional Business Plan Competition in October and the Young Entrepreneur <strong>of</strong> the Year selection process. Her NFTE instructor <strong>at</strong> Suitland, Mena L<strong>of</strong>land, plans to keep a w<strong>at</strong>chful eye over Tia until her gradu<strong>at</strong>ion. “We’re all so el<strong>at</strong>ed th<strong>at</strong> Tia’s spirit is back,” says L<strong>of</strong>land, who teaches 90 students during four NFTE classes each day <strong>at</strong> the Prince George’s County high school. “She’s excited about school, excited about her business and about the future.” But nobody encapsul<strong>at</strong>es wh<strong>at</strong> Tia’s NFTE experience has meant for her, as well as she can. According to the nowresolute Tia on wh<strong>at</strong>’s she learned: “Now I have absolutely no doubts. If I can do this, I know I can do anything!” knotting a monkey’s fist, learn the wonders <strong>of</strong> the block and tackle, and design your own pir<strong>at</strong>e flag. Those with less energy may climb into a sailor’s berth and imagine spending months below deck on a rocking ship or get a t<strong>at</strong>too (removable, <strong>of</strong> course!). Author Mary Sharr<strong>at</strong>t will be on hand from 10a.m. until noon signing copies <strong>of</strong> her l<strong>at</strong>est book, <strong>The</strong> Vanishing Point, set in 17th-century Maryland. A short program <strong>at</strong> 1:00p.m. will fe<strong>at</strong>ure the St. Maries Citty Militia, on hand to recognize Charter Day, and Ms. Wheelchair Maryland, Liza P<strong>at</strong>chett, will grace the <strong>of</strong>ficial opening <strong>of</strong> a new p<strong>at</strong>h to the w<strong>at</strong>erfront. Sailors’ work is a breeze when accompanied by music. At 3:15p.m., <strong>The</strong> Ship’s Company Chantymen will perform an opening set, followed by a sea chantey workshop hosted by visiting musicians and Maryland Dove captain Will G<strong>at</strong>es <strong>at</strong> 4. After hours, we’ll close with a free concert on the St<strong>at</strong>e House green. Local artist David Norris and friends will perform songs th<strong>at</strong> celebr<strong>at</strong>e the Southern Maryland way <strong>of</strong> life beginning <strong>at</strong> 6p.m., followed by <strong>The</strong> Ship’s Company Chantymen. Sailors’ favorites from the Clipper City Brewing Company and snacks will be available. Set a course to Historic St. Mary’s City, one <strong>of</strong> the n<strong>at</strong>ion’s most beautiful historical sites, on the St. Mary’s River for a day <strong>of</strong> discovery and fun. Maritime Heritage participants are invited to tour all <strong>of</strong> HSMC’s exhibits during their visit, including the Tobacco Plant<strong>at</strong>ion, Indian Hamlet, Town Center, and the Visitor Center and visit ongoing archaeological excav<strong>at</strong>ions. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, $3.50 for children from 6-12 years. For more inform<strong>at</strong>ion, call 800-SMC-1634, 240-895- 4990, or visit www.stmaryscity.org. 17TH ANNUAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY FORUM Cosponsored by the United St<strong>at</strong>es Energy Associ<strong>at</strong>ion and Johnson Controls, the Energy Efficiency Forum is an annual nonpartisan event designed to raise awareness <strong>of</strong> energy efficiency issues. This year’s theme, “Energy Efficiency: <strong>The</strong> P<strong>at</strong>h Towards Independence,” reflects growing awareness <strong>of</strong> energy’s impact on the global economy and security in today’s world. Speakers will discuss how political rivals and business competitors are finding value through sound energy efficiency policies and innov<strong>at</strong>ive technologies. Past keynote speakers <strong>at</strong> the Forum have included President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. For additional inform<strong>at</strong>ion visit www.eeforum.net. FLEET WEEK IN THE BIG APPLE Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in New York City for Fleet Week got a real “Big Apple” greeting when their images were projected on the Giant Panasonic Astrovision Video Screen in Times Square! This annual event in celebr<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> Fleet Week is a collabor<strong>at</strong>ion between the USO, United St<strong>at</strong>es Navy and Panasonic. From left to right: FC3 Kristopher Sperlik (Suffolk, VA), E4 Chris Bonilla (Reading, PA) LUPUS FOUNDATION’S 9TH ANNUAL CAR RAFFLE FUNDRAISER <strong>The</strong> Lupus Found<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> Gre<strong>at</strong>er Washington is kicking <strong>of</strong>f its 9th Annual Car Raffle fundraiser to support the programs and oper<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>of</strong> the Found<strong>at</strong>ion. This year the Lupus Found<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> Gre<strong>at</strong>er Washington (LFGW) is raffling <strong>of</strong>f a brand new 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 Sport Sedan valued <strong>at</strong> $33,155. <strong>The</strong> car fe<strong>at</strong>ures a 7-speed autom<strong>at</strong>ic transmission, sunro<strong>of</strong> package, sports-alloy wheels, MP3 ready 6 CD changer with am/fm stereo, power steering and brakes. Tickets are available for $100 each and $175 for two. No more than 1,000 tickets will be sold in total. All proceeds will benefit the LFGW’s many support and educ<strong>at</strong>ional programs for people with lupus and their families. <strong>The</strong> drawing for the winning ticket will take place on Thursday, June 15 <strong>at</strong> 7:00p.m. <strong>at</strong> Gordon Biersch <strong>at</strong> 900 F Street, NW, Washington. <strong>The</strong> raffle drawing event will begin <strong>at</strong> 6:00p.m. <strong>at</strong> a cost <strong>of</strong> $10 for non-ticket holders. Tickets will be available for sale up until the drawing <strong>at</strong> 7:00p.m. Four-time raffle chairperson, Pamela Greenberg is very excited about this year’s raffle and the opportunity to raise money to support the Lupus Found<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> Gre<strong>at</strong>er Washington. “Only 1,000 tickets will be sold, so the chances <strong>of</strong> winning are pretty good,” says Greenberg. “Buying two tickets gives you even better odds” she adds. “Th<strong>at</strong>’s much better than the lottery or playing the slots . . . and it supports a gre<strong>at</strong> cause.” Greenberg’s family has been affected by lupus and she is very involved in the LFGW. She is the past president and very active on the LFGW’s Board <strong>of</strong> Directors. Lupus is an autoimmune disease th<strong>at</strong> <strong>at</strong>tacks the organs and joints. <strong>The</strong>re are estim<strong>at</strong>ed to be 30,000 to 50,000 people in the Gre<strong>at</strong>er Washington area with lupus. Of all lupus sufferers, 90 percent are women. Women <strong>of</strong> color—African-American, L<strong>at</strong>ina, Asian and N<strong>at</strong>ive American—are two to three times more likely to get lupus. Lupus has no cure—yet. Until a cure is found, the Lupus Found<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> Gre<strong>at</strong>er Washington will be here supporting those with lupus. For inform<strong>at</strong>ion about LFGW or to purchase tickets for the 9th Annual Car Raffle, call (202) 349-1167 or email WinACar@lupusgw.org or visit www.lupusgw.org. 6 THE METRO HERALD
June 9, 2006 THE METRO HERALD 7
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