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Organization: Valley Industrial Association
Date: September 9, 2008
2008 VIA Star Competition
http://via.org/education/star/about.htm
Who: Valley Industrial Association, VIA Foundation, Local Businesses, Schools & Student Teams
VIA's Educational Committee and VIA Foundation, a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization, is joining with local businesses and schools to sponsor this competition.
This competition is open to public and private High School, Junior High and Elementary students who attend Santa Clarita Valley schools. The winning project team will receive awards and be featured on the VIA Website! There will be an awards presentation hosted by the Embassy Suites on November 10th. Winning teams will showcase their projects at the November 18, 2008 luncheon meeting at the Hyatt Valencia.
What is VIA Star? VIA Star began in 2005 and growing each year. It is a business-focused, student competition for SCV Elementary, Middle School and High School students. There is no cost for students to apply. Students utilize the resources from their schools plus the coaching support of the teams advisors. The team's work must be completed exclusively by the students to qualify.
Teams of 3 to 5 students compete to identify and propose business solutions to local businesses. Student teams have a faculty advisor plus access to consultants from the Small Businesss Development Corporation based at College of the Canyons.
Research, interviewing and team work will be required to identify a new business product or service for each subject business. Written and verbal presentations are to be judged by a panel of select business leaders utilizing a ballot that fairly assesses the teams' work during the process and the teams ultimate conclusion. These criteria are posted at the VIA website and objectively fair for students of all ages.
Students get hands-on experience with goal setting, project development, presentation skills, business coaching and leadership. Students will become more involved with the busines community, earn bragging rights for themselves and their schools as well as vie for prizes.
Where: Throughout Santa Clarita Valley
Santa Clarita Valley Schools or Youth Groups work independently at teams with their faculty advisor, SBDC consultant and a local business. Judging at local site. Awards ceremony at Embassy Suites. Winning presentation delivered to VIA members at Hyatt Valencia luncheon event.
When: Right now. Teams are forming now. Business Partners are invited now.
Important dates:
Tuesday, September 2: Application Process Opens
Monday, September 30: Application Deadline
September 9 - October 14: Teams meet with Business Partner to develop Projects
Tuesday, October 14: Project or Business Plan Submission Deadline
Tuesday October 28: Mock Presentations to Business Partners
Tuesday, November 4: Business Evaluation Form Submission Deadline
Tuesday, November 4: Student teams present to judging panelists
Monday, November 10: Awards Program - 6:00 p.m. Embassy Suites
Tuesday, November 18: Winning Teams present at VIA Luncheon Meeting
Why VIA Star? This project will improve the community by utilizing the creativity and intellect of our youth to enhance businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley. Students will benefit by gaining experience to the business world and how corporations operate. Relationships will be solidified between students and businesses encouraging our students to seek careers locally and remain in the Santa Clarita Valley. Our Corporate Partners will benefit by gaining the insight of the student team members, which can be applied towards business product development. Members of these student teams will be the future leaders of the Santa Clarita Valley — participation in this project will provide the experience that our students need to set them on their way.
Web Sites: About VIA: http://via.org/information/about_via/join.htm
About VIA Star: http://via.org/education/star/about.htm
Competition Rules and Judging Criteria: http://via.org/education/star/judge.htm
Important Dates: http://via.org/education/star/dates.htm
Business Application: http://via.org/education/star/business_app.htm
School Application: http://via.org/education/star/school_app.htm
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ABOUT THE VALLEY INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION (VIA) — The Valley Industrial Association of Santa Clarita represents business interests throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. VIA provides its members — industrial, commercial and service companies — the opportunity to collaborate on a broad range of business issues. In addition to being a legislative advocate, VIA serves as a one-stop shop for relevant business information, supports local educational initiatives, and provides networking opportunities. www.via.org
