SMITH CENTER — Twenty-eight students competed in a NetWork Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge sanctioned event held for the first time in Smith Center on March 11.

Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, the winner won’t get to travel to the state contest. However, a virtual state pitch competition was proceeding.

Twenty businesses participated in the local event hosted by Smith County Economic Development. Students who participated learned much about the skillsets required for successful entrepreneurship while developing and pitching their business ideas.