Sault Area High School teams figure prominently in business case competition

NEWS RELEASE
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY
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SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. - On Friday, Nov. 1, Lake Superior State University's Lukenda School of Business hosted the 4th annual Superior Case Competition. The Management Concepts and Applications class hosted the event, where high school students must evaluate a real-life business case and present their solutions to a panel of judges.

This year's case focused on optimizing the Laker Cafe to serve the needs of the student body, university, and community better. The teams had to analyze elements of the cafe's branding, product offering, pricing, staffing, market reach, management, and then put together a presentation in under two hours. Scoring for the presentations was based on a rubric, including categories such as presentation skills, identifying all issues, and suggesting a realistic and creative solution.

Members of the winning team received a $1,000 scholarship to Lake Superior State University if they declare their major with the Lukenda School of Business. The top three teams also receive individual prizes and up to $500 for their school's business program.

Many local business owners and representatives participated as judges. This year's judges were Doug Laprade (owner: Laprade Insurance Agency/Meemic Insurance), Ron Kurnik (owner: Superior Coffee Roasting Co.), Danna Sanderson (owner: The Foundry), Amy Azevedo (owner: Superior Styling Salon), Don Wilson (owner: Don Wilson Insurance), James Parker (Management: Central Savings Bank).

The two teams with the highest scored presentations faced off against each other by presenting to a finalist panel consisting of Mindy McCready (Professor; Lukenda School of Business), Valerie Philips (Professor, Lukenda School of Business), Jordan VanLoo (Marketing Content Coordinator) and Sharmay Wood (Associate Dean of Student Affairs).

The top three teams are as follows: first place: Kicking assets and taking names (Sault Area High School): Maila Packer, Kaaleb Ranta, Morgan Burd, Bonnie Li. Second Place: Brimley Team 1 (Brimley High School): Cole Brehm, Derek Postma, Corey Fus, Austin Poltkin. Third place: The Study Buddies (Sault Area High School): Caitlyn Scornaiencki, Spencer Hazley, Makenzie Jacobson, David Weber. Congratulations.

The Management Concepts and Applications class is incredibly grateful for all the support the community has shown and would like to thank those who offered donations and sponsorships, including the Lukenda School of Business, LSSU Student Government, LSSU Campus Life, LSSU Charter Schools, Central Savings Bank, Soo CoOp Credit Union, Walmart, Pak n Ship, Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Lynn/Napa Auto Parts, Taco Bell, and Zorba's.

Lake Superior State University is one of Michigan's most affordable public universities with One-Rate at Lake State tuition for all. Surrounded by three Great Lakes, LSSU is an unsurpassed location for research, focusing on real-world experiences.

Well known for programs such as fisheries and wildlife management, engineering, nursing, criminal justice, and fire science; Lake State is also leading the way with innovative new programs, including cannabis chemistry and cannabis business. For more information, visit LSSU.edu.

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