Last November, 44 local students participated in a two-day education seminar that allowed them to learn about corporations, cooperatives, individually owned businesses, legal aspects of doing business, and diversity. This group of elite students consistently scored high on quizzes and a final exam and at the end of the program, six of the teens were awarded a trip to the State Youth Seminar in Lexington this June.
APES, which stands for American Private Enterprise Systems, offers students from each Hardin County High School (E-town High, Fort Knox, North, Central, and John Hardin), as well as two students from the home school sector, to come together at an off-site location to learn about business and the free enterprise system. This program has been around more than 35 years, and has gained a reputation among students as being one of the top five things to put on a resumé.
Nolin RECC has been a sponsor of the Hardin County, as well as LaRue County, APES program since they began. Electric cooperatives throughout Kentucky are helping to sponsor APES programs in about 35 different counties.
APES also offers youth motivation and self-confidence. The teens are encouraged to network with students from other schools as they work together in groups. One popular exercise is the board case studies. This session allow participants to resolve some real-life issues that may arise in a business. Boards present their dilemma and resolution to their peers and must face opposing boards as they explain and support their decisions during the debate session.
Clark Jewelers has been providing watches for more than 35 years to the outstanding young female and male at the conference.That adds up to a lot of watches throughout the years! The Clark family is greatly appreciated for their support and generosity to the APES program.
Many community leaders volunteer their time to speak to the APES students. Presenters this year included John Scott, Eric Brandenburg, Tim Goblirsch, Wm. Steve Wright, Michael Coyle, Trooper Bruce Reeves, and Patsy Whitehead. Without the support of our local community, APES would not be possible. The program is totally supported by business in Hardin County, including Nolin RECC, Clark Jewelers, Coca-Cola of Elizabethtown, Magnolia Bank, Don Pierce & Associates, Hardin County AM Rotary Club, First Federal Savings Bank, and the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service.
A special thanks to Zaxby’s for sponsoring lunch the first day of the seminar!
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