Baton Rouge, LA- Scotlandville Magnet High School kicked off “Entrepreneurship Week” earlier today.  The school is taking part in National Entrepreneurship Week, which was established by the U.S. Congress in an effort to raise awareness about the impact of entrepreneurship.

The bill encourages school districts to continue developing curriculums based on entrepreneurship, and calls on the President to issue a proclamation asking federal, state, local governments, schools, non-profits and other organizations to observe the ceremonial week, scheduled for February 24 through March 3, 2007. 

Governor Blanco signed a proclamation to Scotlandville Magnet High School declaring Entrepreneurship Week in Louisiana. The proclamation was read aloud today in the school library. The entire week is filled with related activities.  Scotlandville Magnet High is the only school in the state with a Business Entrepreneurship Program and houses an incubator for student businesses. A school based enterprise in the form of a school store will come online in July 2007. The Louisiana State Department of Education is ahead of the game by piloting its Entrepreneurship Curriculum this semester in several high schools across the state.

This Entrepreneurship Program is in its infant stage however, I envision our program becoming the premier high school entrepreneurship program in the state. I can see many opportunities, one of which is to have our students market their products at state conferences and other venues. With adequate funding and community resources, these students will be limited only by their dreams,” said Scotlandville Magnet High School principal, Howard Davis.

Two out of every three new jobs in this country come from smaller entrepreneurial businesses. “I believe that if we invest in youth entrepreneurship programs now by mentoring students as they write their business plans, we will have fewer small business ventures failing in the long run,” said John Matthews, manager of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.

Scotlandville Magnet High School
Entrepreneurship Week Activities
February 24 – March 3

Theme: “What’s Your Big Idea?  Take it on!”

Monday, Feb. 26 – Entrepreneurship Kickoff proclamation Ceremony at 8:30 in school library     Governor Blanco is invited to issue the proclamation

Tuesday, Feb. 27- Emily the Entrepreneur Essay Writing Contest

Wednesday, Feb 28 -Entrepreneurship across the Curriculum and Business Plan and Competition Expo

Thursday, Mar. 1 – Business Market Place

Friday, Mar. 2 –Small Business Incubator Tour on trolley: 9:00 – 11:45 sponsored by new partner Micro Enterprise Development Alliance of Louisiana