Devyn Jeremenko, daughter, Michael and Desiree Jeremenko from Souderton and a Sophomore at Souderton Area High School at has been granted a full scholarship to attend Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week 2011 on the campus of Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport. Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week is a weeklong economic education program that offers students an inside look at the private enterprise system and the way the free market functions.

Jeremenko will attend Week III, July 31-Aug. 6 of the four, one-week sessions offered this summer. Pennsylvania teachers and counselors recommend the candidates who are then reviewed by the PFEW staff. Admission is based on motivation to learn that is demonstrated through essays submitted by the applicants. Those accepted are awarded scholarships, which cover all program costs, excluding a nominal registration fee and transportation to and from Pennsylvania College of Technology. When students arrive for their one-week session in July or August, they are housed on the campus in dormitories where they experience a taste of college life.

During the week, student “companies” simulate the actual operation of their own businesses for the equivalent of three years. Business volunteers serve as “Company Advisors” who mentor the students as they face many of the same decisions real executives confront. The companies compete against each other in the areas of management skill, return on net assets, a marketing and advertising campaign, and a presentation to stockholders. Company Advisors do not make decisions for their team, but suggest available options and share their own experiences and challenges. Scholarship winners learn the value of teamwork, cooperation, and leadership.

Dozens of world-class speakers present seminars and discussions covering topics like the relationships of business with labor, government, and consumers. The students also hear talks about business ethics, management and leadership skills, the economic system future, the global marketplace, money and banking, business operations, careers in business, marketable skills, and much more.