By Hailey Gregory and Addison Kettler
On Tuesday, March 10th, Garnett hosted the 2026 Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) competition at the Community Building. Students from Crest High School, Anderson County High School, and homeschooled students presented their business plans to community members and judges.
YEC is a daylong event where students present business ideas and share their plans for the future. It also gives students the chance to win prize money and gain experience for starting a business.
Students set up tables to display their businesses. When visitors stopped by, the students explained their business ideas, how their businesses would make money, and how they hoped to grow in the future. Judges also walked around the room, taking notes on the displays and presentations.
Each competitor also gave a short presentation to a panel of three judges. During this time, the judges asked questions about the student’s business plan.
After the competition ended, students were given lunch from Pizza Hut while judges calculated the final results.
The only Anderson County High School student who placed was Vivian Riblett. She finished third and won $800. Riblett also won the competition last year and qualified for the state contest. She hopes to compete again at Pittsburg State University and qualify for state once more.
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