MACS has been working in partnership with YESurry, a non-profit organization, to introduce students to Entrepreneurship during their high school years. These classes will be offered at Mount Airy High School for the 2020-2021 school year. The district is pleased to announce that Mr. Will Pfitzner, a local celebrated entrepreneur, is joining the staff as the instructor for the Entrepreneurship classes.
As a member of Mount Airy High School’s class of 2012, Will went on to obtain a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from NC State University while also launching his wood home decor company, LazerEdge. Upon graduation, he spent two years working for Deloitte Consulting aiding in Business Technology development across North and South America. In February of 2018, Will decided it was time to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Will now serves on the board for YESurry that strives to create a community where young people are prepared and empowered to take responsibility for their personal and professional future through creating and developing their own businesses to achieve financial independence. Will still owns and operates LazerEdge in Mount Airy, where he has made it his mission to continue to grow his business while giving back to the community through teaching and mentorship.
The school is partnering with NC State University through a collaboration with T.I.P., The Innovation Project, to bring innovative leadership to rural districts. The NC State curriculum, AsaP Curriculum via the Applied Synergies Partnership will be piloted at Mount Airy High School and will be shared across the state. It introduces students to all aspects of developing a business idea, working a business plan, marketing that plan, and creating a product. These aspects will help students understand all aspects of business and be able to launch their own business even in high school.
Olivia Sikes, Director of Career and Technical Education states, “Will’s positive energy and experience as an entrepreneur in our community will help generate excitement for young entrepreneurs in our school system to pursue their own innovative business ideas.” Through enrollment in these courses, students will have the opportunity to earn credentials such as the Venture Entrepreneurial Expedition Credential and will also have the opportunity to take the Small Business (ESB) exam. Students will also have the opportunity to be members of the DECA club, which prepares high school students to be emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, as well as the YESurry challenge. This challenge competes with other students around the county to create a realistic and visionary project. The winning projects are funded through this challenge and allow students to realize their vision.