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Barton County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge awards student entrepreneurs cash prizes
GBED YEC 2025
Pictured left to right: Nikolus Patterson, Jason Murray, Amelia Baskerville, Benn Maddox, Callie Umphres, Bennett Jacobs, Zoey Bogner, Paxton Rein, Mady Hammeke, Lee Ann Seiler, David Morgan and Tucker Loesch.

Barton County’s fifth annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) continues to grow, showcasing the talents of young entrepreneurs and fostering an innovative business spirit among local students. On March 5, 2025, Barton County’s YEC Tradeshow was held at the Great Bend Event Center, where 7th to 12th-grade students competed for cash prizes and the opportunity to advance to the State Level. 


This year, Network Kansas partnered with K-State Research and Extension to further enhance the program and provide additional resources to participants. The top winners from regional competitions like Barton County’s YEC move on to the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge (KEC). KEC is sponsored by Network Kansas, Kansas State University Research & Extension, and Kansas State University Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and is held in April.


The 2025 competitors included:

• Crafts by Mady Co: Mady Hammeke, 10th grader from Ellinwood High School

• Dave’s Paracord Provisions: David Morgan, Great Bend Home School Coop

• Ice on Wheels: Callie Umphres, 9th grader from Great Bend High School & Bennett Jacobs, 10th grader from Ellinwood

• Loesch Mfg: Tucker Loesch, 12th grader from Hoisington High School

• Nik’s Lawn Care: Nikolus Patterson, 7th grader from Great Bend Middle School

• The Kansas Voice: Zoey Bogner, 8th grader from Central Plains High School

• Sparrow’s Commissions: Amelia Baskerville, 7th grader from Great Bend Middle School


A distinguished panel of judges evaluated the business plans, tradeshow presentations, and overall pitches. Judges included Barton County Fuel Member and entrepreneur Paxton Rein, Lea Ann Seiler from Network Kansas, Jason Murray, Executive Director of Golden Belt Community Foundation, and Benn Maddox, Consumer & Small Business Lender from Equity Bank. Before the tradeshow, Great Bend Economic Development (GBED) hosted an ice-breaker lunch and networking session for judges and students to foster community between generations before the judging began.


After a competitive tradeshow, the winners were announced:

• First Place: The Kansas Voice – $1,000 Prize

• Second Place: Ice on Wheels – $750 Prize

• Third Place: Loesch Mfg. – $500 Prize

• People’s Choice Award: Loesch Mfg. – $250 Prize


This competition, brought to Great Bend by Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, aims to challenge youth, encourage mentorship from the business community, and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. The event was made possible through a partnership with Kansas State University Research & Extension and Network Kansas and sponsorships from Network Kansas and Nex-Tech Wireless. 


Encouraging youth entrepreneurship is essential for developing a dynamic and innovative economy. By fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, the YEC program helps young people build lifelong skills while contributing to economic growth. Youth entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and technological innovation, driving forward new business ideas and solutions. To learn more about YEC or watch videos of the contestants, visit www.gbedinc.com/yec.


About GBED (Great Bend Economic Development):

Our goal is to sustain long-term economic health in our community and vitality through the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses and development that enhance property values, increase personal income, and positively contribute to our citizens’ quality of life. For more information about GBED, visit www.gbedinc.com, call 620-796-2407, or email marketing@gbedinc.com.