SIDNEY -- Sidney's first Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge will be held at Sidney High School December 8.

Sarah Sinnett, representing E3 (Energizing, Entrepreneurial, Ecosystems), met before the Sidney City Council Tuesday, November 28, to promote the "Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge." The program is a partnership between E3 and Sidney High School to encourage students to explore business opportunities.

"Next Friday, December 8, we're having a really cool competition at the high school, first time we're ever doing this. We approached Sidney High School and asked if they would teach a class, so for juniors and seniors this year they have been teaching an entrepreneurship class; Ashley Fehringer at the high school. We got curriculum donated from our friends in Kansas, and she's been teaching that," Sinnett said.

Students are tasked with identifying a business concept. They also learning how to make a marketing plan, pricing and everything they need to succeed.

The December 8 event is a three-phase competition. Phase one is graded by the teacher. The second phase is a pitch contest closed to the public. 

"We're going to have a pitch contest with five judges: state economic development, Nebraska Business Development Center, UNK and some other supporters are coming out here to judge that contest. They (students) will give a three-minute pitch, and then be judged on that," she said.

Phase 3 is an expo/trade show from 1 to 4 p.m. at the high school. It is an opportunity for the public to see products and services by students in the entrepreneurship program. 

"All the students will be set up with their business. If they have a product, they can sell it, and they'll walk you through their pitch and what it is and you guys can all vote on what is the most well done there," she said.

Students will be competing against each other for $8,000 in prizes.