Gardner-Webb University's Godbold School of Business will welcome local high school students to campus in July to study entrepreneurship and other topics alongside local business professionals during the 11th annual B.E.S.T. (Bringing Entrepreneurs and Students Together) Program.
The July 19-22 event will offer opportunities to learn professional skills for rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders. Activities will include business topic workshops, guest speakers, campus tours, outdoor programs and times to network with business leaders and other students. Past guest speakers for B.E.S.T. include local professionals in business, government, law enforcement and media fields.
Each day's program will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby of Hamrick Hall on the Gardner-Webb campus and conclude by 2 p.m. Transportation from Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain and Shelby high schools to GWU will be available, and a light breakfast, snack and lunch will be provided each day. Students who complete B.E.S.T. will receive a certificate during a luncheon on the event's final day.
Students who have participated in B.E.S.T. in the past shared that the program offered broad preparation for life. "I learned how to dress when going to a job interview and things to better prepare for college," Jasmine Brown explained. "It's good to meet new people, and to learn to use social skills as marketing skills," added Chozie Hunt, who attended the event multiple years.
Kevin Mills, who experienced B.E.S.T. in 2010 and recently graduated from Gardner-Webb with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance, assessed that skills such as leadership that he learned from the program continue to impact his life and work. "I participated in B.E.S.T. because I wanted to have a chance to see if I enjoyed business concepts," he expounded. "The program confirmed my desire to major in business."
Students can register for this year's B.E.S.T. Program through June 27 by visiting gardner-webb.edu/best-program. For more information, contact Natetsa Lawrence, the program coordinator, at 704-406-2260 or tlawrence@gardner-webb.edu.
Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 days prior to the event. Please call 704-406-4253 or email servicerequests@gardner-webb.edu.
Submitted by Matthew Tessnear