Local students participating in SCG company challenge

The seventh annual Southern California Gas Company Challenge for Student Entrepreneurs will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave.

Teams of young entrepreneurs from Tulare, Fresno and Kings county high schools will present projects they have developed in response to Southern California Gas Company Challenge for Student Entrepreneurs. In the competition are teams from eight schools, including Porterville High, Harmony Magnet Academy and Porterville College, as well as others from Visalia, Hanford, Reedley, Fresno, and Oakhurst-North Fork.

The Challenge is designed to encourage students to develop products, services or other economic growth ideas that can be applied in the San Joaquin Valley.

Teams will present to a panel of judges beginning at 9 a.m. The judges will select the top three student teams, who will present their business concepts to Tulare County business, community and economic development leaders during a luncheon.

At the end of the luncheon, judges will announce the winners and distribute prizes, including a scholarship sponsored by Tucoemas Federal Credit Union in the amount of $1,000 to one high school student.

“We are pleased that the Student Entrepreneur Challenge continues to grow and be supported by The Gas Company,” said Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak. “We also appreciate that students now have the opportunity to share their ideas with local business leaders.”