The USI Accounting Circle sponsored the High School Business Day Case and Scholarship Challenge, held on the USI campus November 4, 2022. Nearly 50 high school students competed for cash (and bragging rights) as the top business case team and for scholarships to Romain College of Business.
The day featured a case competition where student teams were given a challenging real-world business problem. They presented their solutions to a panel of judges made up of faculty, USI students and accounting professionals. The team of Grant Coe, Jacob Hafele, and Isaac Elliott earned first place, splitting $750 and winning $250 for North High School. Anthony Bleyer and Jason Miller from Mount Carmel High School placed second. Gibson Southern's team rounded out the third place spot.
Students had an opportunity to take a multiple-choice examination to test their knowledge of business skills and concepts. Congratulations to Dylan Wischmeier, Jason Miller, and Jenna Loyd, who earned scholarships to Romain College of Business.
High schools represented included Gibson Southern, Mount Carmel, Apollo, Henderson County, New Tech Institute, North, Tecumseh, Mount Vernon and Brownstown Central High School.
Students toured campus and the Cybersecurity Operations Center in the Business and Engineering Center. But it’s the interaction with USI students, faculty and professionals, many of whom are USI alumni, that is invaluable for these guests and their parents and teachers. It’s an opportunity for them to learn more about business careers, internship opportunities, and how Romain College of Business can co-create with them a path to achieve their career goals. More than a dozen of the students have already been admitted to USI.
Accounting Circle member Jason Warford ‘11, accounting and finance, is senior manager at Harding, Shymanski & Company, P.S.C., and organizer of this year’s event. “After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, it was great to see the participation of the students and the schools at an overall record level for the event,” he says. “With more and more career opportunities presenting themselves in the accounting profession, it’s a great time for high school students to explore what an accounting career looks like.”
“This year’s High School Day and Case Competition was a resounding success due to the volunteer members of the Accounting Circle and Young Professionals Advisory Boards,” says Dr. Thomas Noland, Chair of Accounting and Finance, Professor of Accounting. “I was excited to see not only students and faculty from various high schools, but also students’ parents. I would like to thank all that participated and congratulate the teams and individuals that won awards and scholarships.”