The Student Company Competition is designed to enhance the learning experience of the high school students' participating in the JA Company program by developing their presentation skills and providing them with the opportunity to gain from the insights and wisdom of some of our valley's most dynamic business leaders. Officers of the top 4 companies—all from Yerba Buena High School in San Jose--presented their products, business plans, and company progress to date. 1st and 2nd place awards were presented, respectively, to Aztec Enterprises (a Y.B. school beanie cap) and Lite It Up Productions (a Y.B. school votive candle in a "shot" glass). In addition to scholarships, the 1st place students were hosted for lunch with Mike Hackworth at the Capital Club.

Our First Student Company Competition was kicked off by Patrick Guerra, Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at SCU's Leavey School of Business. The Master of Ceremonies was Fred Hoar, SCU Marketing Professor and retired CEO of Miller Shandwick PR firm. Junior Achievement based criteria was used to assess the JA student companies. The very distinguished panel of judges helped shaped this Valley and included several Laureates from Junior Achievement's Business Hall of Fame (noted with asterisks): Maryles Casto* of Casto Travel, Ray Demere on JA's National and Local Boards of Directors and HP retiree, Papken der Torossian* of NANOmetrics, Steve Kirsch* of Propel, Boris Lipkin on JA's local Board, Bill Miller* of Stanford University (Professor Emeritus), Dan Perez* of Solectron, and John Sobrato* of Sobrato Development Company.

The student teams were all taking JA Economics, which is a semester-long curriculum for seniors that incorporates the development and operation of real businesses, with real profits and stock options. By presenting their companies and products to such a prestigious group of judges, students got a flavor of what it's like to both go up against competitors and "pitch" their company to potential funders and customers. Then in small breakout sessions, students gained insights from the judges who were impressed with students' creativity and intelligence.

Our goal is to have several student company teams compete each spring and fall. Junior Achievement believes that the Student Company Competition will inspire success. We hope students will be inspired to reach for their dreams because they know that their community cares and supports them. And we hope that the business and academic communities will be inspired to volunteer and to expand their support to shape the next generation of Silicon Valley workers and leaders.