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By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer

A new business class at Arkansas City High School is providing tools to help youngsters become entrepreneurs. Some of them are destined to become the business leaders of tomorrow, a local chamber of commerce official said Wednesday.

"These kids are thinking of ways to be successful in new ways," said Yazmin Wood, president and CEO of the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce.

About 140 students, representing all four classes -- freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors -- are taking entrepreneurship in six class periods. The year-long course was offered for the first time at Ark City High this school year.

"Last spring, the original plan was to offer one class for 20 people," said Mike Brooks, who teaches the class. "But all of the sudden, we had 180 kids signed up. Some of those dropped out when they found out what would be involved.

What's involved is a lot of work, students in Brooks' third-period class on Tuesday, said. (The class technically is held during "seventh hour," on a "gold" day, in the lingo used by the high school for the block scheduling program started this school year.)

"Some thought it was a hands-on class with no book work, and then found out it was going to be more," Brooks said. "That scared some off."

Besides studying from a textbook, the students use 13 computers in the classroom to find information on careers they might pursue.

They also take turns running a before- and after-school store that sells school supplies. The store is open for 20 minutes before school, and for 20 minutes after school.

"This is just enough to get them to see what running a business is about," he said.

Students in Brooks' third-period class on Tuesday gave various reasons for taking the class.

Chris Owens, a senior, said he wants to start an agency to represent entertainers, while sophomore Lou Reed wants to start a hair salon.

"I think (the class) is helpful in my plan to go to Cowley (College)," said Tammy Cassiday, a senior. "I want to major in business."

Cassiday said she might not want to start a business herself but wants to get an overall view of the business field. She plans to be a loan officer, she said.

Others said they aren't sure what they want to do, but they find the class helpful.

"We've had them list what their hobbies and life interests are," Brooks said. "They are throwing all that information together to put into a business plan, and they will present that plan to the class."

A goal of the class is to "spark an idea; get them started," he added.

"If we had two or three serious entrepreneurs a year, that'd be a good deal," Brooks said.

Wood said the chamber has been involved in the class since last fall. She has spoken to class groups and talked to students about their aspirations, she said.

"We are encouraging our (chamber) members to be speakers, also," she said.

Brooks said his classes have heard from about 20 different speakers so far this year.

Some students also have attended and participated in two Home Town Competitiveness workshops last fall that the area chambers of commerce helped organize. They also led a session on youth and entrepreneurship at the Cowley County Economic Forum held in January.

Several students also are participating in the Cowley First Vision 20/20 focus area meetings, Wood said.

The class doesn't focus too much on entrepreneurship as a way of making a lot of money, Brooks said. Some students may end up working part-time as entrepreneurs.

"I like doing hairdos, but I'm also interested in becoming an obstetrician," Reed said.

Brianna Branine, a senior, said although she would like to open a dance studio, she believes she'll need to do something else to make a lot of money.

"I'm looking at different careers," she said.

Cassiday shared the business plan she's working on for the class. Her plan is to start a nightclub restaurant where adults can go for food and entertainment, she said. The plan includes a list of costs, such as license fees, labor and rent, utilities, and supplies.

"I want to call (the business) TLC's, for my initials," she said (Tammy Lynn Cassiday).

A working advertising slogan for the new business: "Come party at the hottest place in town."

Brooks said although some students question whether they'll return to Ark City to go into business, others are interested in staying here.

"We're trying to portray Ark City as positive, not negative," he said. "When (students who are serious about starting businesses) graduate, they'll have a lot to go from for a head start."

Above: Lou Reed, a sophomore in an entrepreneurship class offered for the first time at Arkansas City High School, researches hair salon businesses on a computer in the classroom. Reed said she would like to start a hair salon.