EDUCATION/CULTURE--YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS-WINNERS ANNOUNCED ----------------------------------------------------------------- --NOT FOR RELEASE UNTIL 7 P.M., FRIDAY, APRIL 26-- Atlantic Canada's largest young entrepreneurs event saw six major awards presented at the Young Entrepreneurs Going Places awards dinner last night in Halifax. The dinner was a major highlight of the conference, which attracted 550 student delegates and over 180 business people interested in finding out about the hottest young entrepreneurs. "Young entrepreneurs are becoming a notable presence in our economy and have started developing the entrepreneurial skills required to create viable business opportunities for themselves now and in the future," said Ian MacFadden, vice-president of business banking for the Royal Bank, the sponsor of the dinner. The awards included: Innovation Award -- sponsored by MT&T, which went to the business that proved to be creative original and technology oriented. The winners were Christina Mallard, Maude Walsh, Krista McGrath, Cindy Higdon and Elaine Harvey from Cabot College, St. John's, Nfld., for their business Singing Sendsations Inc. The company provides an innovative 1-900 service that provides callers with access to a variety of singing telegrams for any occasion. The company has the sole rights to the concept across Canada, and they will be looking to move into the U.S. market in the future. Customer Service Award -- sponsored by Canadian Airlines International-Air Atlantic presented to the business that proved it went beyond the mere servicing of their clients. The winner was Tara Young, from Shelburne Regional High School, who started Tara Young's March Break Day Camp. Unlike other day cares, Tara's started during March Break so that parents who were unable to secure care for their children would have an alternative option. "The camp received such rave reviews," according to a parent, "we convinced her to continue on with her business." Arts and Culture Award -- sponsored by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency -- went to the business which used and maintained artistic talent to operate a business. Eric Lafontaine, from Ecole du Carrefour, Dartmouth, who owns and operates, Cartes Eric Lafontaine Cards, received the award. Eric has used his creative abilities to provide bilingual visual tools for business. Best Overall Business Award -- sponsored by the Royal Bank -- went to the business proven to be profitable, sustainable and well thought out. Two businesses received the award: Renee Poirier, from Riverview High School, Coxheath, N.S., who owns and operates Trends for Tots, based upon a developing trend among preschool children to wear the same clothes as their dolls; and Wayne Lynch, Cabot College, St. John's, who started Quality International Inc., a company specializes in marketing and production consultation of under-utilized fish species. The company is a recognized as a leader in Atlantic Canada in this area and is currently heading a steering committee to develop an Atlantic Canada strategy. Quality International Inc., has established strategic alliances that have opened markets in Asia for their products. Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Award -- sponsored by the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency -- presented to the student who executed the best overall business concept and profitability, went to Dennis Khattar, Sydney, a student at the University College of Cape Breton. His business, The Lobster Trap Gift Shop, took advantage of a prime location in Louisbourg last summer to target the several hundred thousand tourists who passed by his roadside handcraft and souvenir shop. The Entrepreneurial Teacher Award -- sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture, is awarded to a teacher who has a proven track record in motivating and assisting students to recognize entrepreneurship as a viable career option. Receiving the award was Gordon Lewis, of the Annapolis West Education Centre, who brought his own experiences into the classroom. Mr. Lewis emphasizes the importance of proper planning and of attention to detail, and has supported students in a number of successful ventures. The Young Entrepreneurs Going Places Trade Fair is being held tomorrow, Saturday, April 27, at Park Lane Mall from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The trade fair will give the students the opportunity to display and sell their wares to the public. The conference is hosted by the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development. -30- Contact: Maryanne McLorie 902-424-7246 or 902-456-3214 trp Apr. 26, 1996 - 3:40 p.m.