Local students from Forest High School dominated the podium at the 2026 Annual Marion County Youth Business Plan Competition, taking home all three top honors and thousands of dollars in prize money.
The winners of this year’s competition were announced during a ceremony hosted by the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership on Wednesday, April 8.
The annual competition is designed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in local high schoolers by challenging them to develop and present comprehensive business plans. This year’s top prize of $4,500 was awarded to 11th-grader Gerard-Bernard Sejour for his winning concept, SafePath.
The second-place prize of $2,500 went to the team behind Snacks2Go, which included 11th-graders Rainey Lindeman and Samantha Wilber, and 10th-graders Ella Gutierrez and Brielle Fernandez.
Third place and a $1,500 award were secured by seniors Andy Nguyen and Luis Semidei-Lossada for their project, Phoward Kitchen.
The competition serves as a launching pad for the next generation of business leaders, providing participants with access to workshops and expert guidance from seasoned industry professionals. Throughout the process, students refine their skills in market research, financial projections, and strategic problem-solving.
Beyond the monetary rewards, the program emphasizes real-world experience and skill development. Students work to build confidence in public speaking and networking, ultimately pitching their ideas to an audience and potential investors.
The organizers designed the competition for “leaders of tomorrow” who have a passion for solving problems or dreams of starting their own businesses. By turning abstract ideas into actionable plans, students leave the competition with a standout portfolio that showcases their entrepreneurial leadership.
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