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Kiley’s Creations win third straight business award
new_rnb_barton county youth challenge
Competitors pose with the judges after the conclusion of the third annual Barton County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge came to a close Wednesday afternoon. From left: Jessica Milsap, Regan Reif, David McMillan, Callie Umphres, Sydney Bailey, Shawn Powelson, Kiley Stevenson, Krystal Schartz, Tucker Loesch and Danielle Davis. - photo by Riley Brungardt

For three years in a row, Kiley Stevenson, now a senior at Ellinwood High School, has won a countywide competition for young entrepreneurs. Stevenson continues to refine the business model for her baking business, Kiley’s Creations.

March 8 marked the third annual Barton County Youth Entrepreneurship challenge, a competition sponsored by Great Bend Economic Development. Students in grades 7-12 were encouraged to present their business ideas. This year a total of four businesses participated in the competition. 

First-place winner, Ellinwood High School’s Kiley Stevenson, received $1,000. This is Stevenson’s third consecutive first-place win.

Second place, Hoisington High School’s Danielle Davis with Sugar and Spice Co., received $750.

Third place, Great Bend Middle School’s Sydney Bailey, Callie Umphres, and Tori Nelson with Little Friends Daycare, received $500. 

Hoisington High School sophomore Tucker Loesch received the People’s Choice award this year and honorable mention, receiving a total of $550 for his welding business, Loesch Mfg.

Loesch also competed last year, when he won second place and the People’s Choice Award.

“This is the first year we’ve invited middle school students to the competition,” Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Arnberger said after announcing third place, “I think they just blew it out of the water.”

Students were challenged to create a trade show presentation of their business idea and share it with the public.

Kiley Stevenson’s presentation for Kiley’s Creations included a model “Cookie Caddy,” a small-scale version of her next step in the business plan of owning a trailer and selling her baked goods across the state, Stevenson said. 

For her presentation on Sugar and Spice Co., Davis displayed candles, candle wax, shirts, and fashionable vent clips that are currently being sold for her audience to sample. “I love to spread positive messages with my business and with my apparel and with everything I sell,” Davis said. Messages such as “Be Kind” and “Good things take time” were displayed on numerous products. 

Loesch Manufacturing had poster boards with photographs of Loesch’s past work and a large projector screen that displayed his work. On display also were his helmet and the jacket he uses while working. 

This year’s judging panel included Jessica Milsap with Mpire Realty, Shawn Powelson with Landmark National Bank, Regan Reif with the University of Kansas Health Systems, David McMillan with the Masons, and Krystal Schartz with People’s Bank and Trust in Ellinwood.  

“This year’s scores are extremely close,” Arnberger said moments before announcing the winners. All of the students will have the opportunity to compete at the state level.