photo by: Courtesy of Douglas County

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School's Felix Kirkland took first place in the Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center.

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School’s Felix Kirkland took first place at the Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge last Friday, winning a $1,250 check and the chance to represent the county in a statewide competition later this year.

According to a news release from the county, Felix competed against 15 other students in the contest, which was held at Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center. The contest requires students to create a business idea, deliver an elevator speech and a formal presentation and set up a trade show display. Felix’s winning business idea was an all-electrical lawn tool rental service called Greener Grass.

The students’ work was judged by local entrepreneurs, teachers and community leaders, according to the release. It was sponsored by Network Kansas, Douglas County and the Lawrence chamber of commerce.

With his first-place finish, Felix qualified for the state youth entrepreneurship competition in April in Manhattan, the release said. Several other entries in Douglas County’s competition also received cash prizes, according to the release:

• Second place ($1,000): Bishop Seabury Academy’s Quinn Maddox and Millie Newell for their business Seabiscuit Bakery, specializing in custom cakes and cupcakes.

• Third place ($500): Baldwin High School’s Cooper Cohorst and Ian Bryan for their company C&B Fabrication, a welding and 3D printing business.

• People’s choice ($250): Raintree Montessori School’s Joshua Eason for his business Sweet Scents, which creates scented pillows, stuffed animals, candles and other products.

photo by: Courtesy of Douglas County

City Commissioner Amber Sellers, right, looks over Joshua Eason’s entry in the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center. Eason was the people’s choice winner and received a $250 prize.