Two Dobie High School DECA students attended a summer program called EntrePrep at Rice University.  This was a week-long residential program that educates students in project based, hands-on entrepreneurial experiences. 

Gerin John and Jessica Latham joined 23 students from Texas as they participated in this entrepreneurship program sponsored by the National Council on Economic Education.  The focus was on teaching students how to start and run their own businesses.  Classes included presentations by successful entrepreneurs, case studies, team exercises, hands on activities and projects.  The students worked in teams and created their own businesses beginning with conducting a market analysis and demographic research then developing promotional ideas and business plans.  The culmination of the week long training was then to present their business plans to 50 local business owners who were able to ask questions, give advice, and critique their overall ideas.

The EntrePrep program has plans to continue the Summer Institute next year with sponsorship coming through the Texas Council on Economic Education.

“This was a great opportunity for my students to attend this intensive entrepreneurial training and I know they will benefit from the skills learned,” said Karen Daigle, Marketing teacher at Dobie High School.