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What's your BIG idea?

From commercial submarine service providing transportation safe from terrorists to AllAround.com, an internet service that provides software and games, ideas flowed from youth participating in the 'What's your BIG idea?' competition held at Randolph College on Saturday morning, March 3. The young competitors shared their creative and innovative ideas, and how they would turn those ideas into profitable business ventures.

First place was awarded to Page 'Alex' Garbee, a sixth grade student at Brookville Middle School, for her E-book concept. Designed to replace expensive textbooks and eliminate health problems created by carrying heavy backpacks, E-books serves as an attractive technology alternative allowing students to plug-in to school from anywhere. The well-researched idea resulted in Alex walking away with a $500 savings bond, complements of Pat Merryman; an i-POD; and the title of 2007 Young Entrepreneur IdolŠ.

Finalists, receiving a $50 savings bond from Dawson Ford Garbee, a Putt-Putt Fun Center Pass, and free lunch at Donald's Bagels & Bites, included:

• Christopher Tugman, 4th grade student at Bedford Hills Elementary School
• Josh Bayliss, 8th grade student at Linkhorne Middle School
• Matthew Crawford, 5th grade student at Paul Munro Elementary School
• Nathan Tschetter, a 6th grade home-schooled student from Amherst.

Semi-finalists, each of whom received a Putt-Putt Fun Center Pass, and free lunch at Donald's Bagels & Bites, were:

• Carl Stamey, 6th grade student, Brookville Middle School
• Chris Chueh, 5th grade student, James River Day School
• Sam Crawford, 6th grade student, Linkhorne Middle School
• Sara Tschetter, home-schooled student from Amherst

Judges for the competition were Larry Hatch, President and CEO of AMTI, Inc; Marjette L. Glass, Business Relations Manager for The City of Lynchburg Office of Economic Development; and, Melissa K. Waugh, President and co-founder of Trainkins, Inc. and CEO of Elcare Innovations, Inc.

'What's your BIG idea?' was held in conjunction with EntrepreneurshipWeekUSA, the nation's largest organized event designed to celebrate entrepreneurship with activities designed to inspire, educate and prepare young people to consider entrepreneurship and innovation in all aspects of their lives.

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