Balancing homework, family, a social life, and extracurricular activities is tough! Although it seems impossible, Valparaiso High School senior Lyndsay Herbst has mastered the art of multitasking. Whether it's stunning students with her knowledge about the world of business or doing volunteer work for her church, Herbst never fails to make a positive impression on everyone she meets.
Herbst attended an entrepreneurship academy for high school students at Purdue University. The program provides Indiana students with a knack for business to explore the different fields of business and give them the opportunity to make lifelong connections. The academy's activities included several business classes that student entrepreneurs attend at the university campus. At the end of the week, the students must present an "investor pitch" with the business case they were given at the beginning of the week. The students worked on these pitches in groups which consisted of students all across Indiana.
"I have always liked the idea of being a business woman because I love to be creative, work hard, and problem solve," Herbst stated.
When Herbst came back from the program, she was pleasantly surprised. She was anxious and timid weeks before the camp; she did not know what to expect. However, the camp ended up being one of the best experiences Herbst ever had. Not only did the program teach her advanced skills and knowledge about the business world, but she learned some lifelong lessons.
Herbst smiled, "At the end of the week, my team didn't win any scholarships. But we worked very hard and put together a great presentation despite the complications we had. My group was all boys except me, which was challenging at times, but in the end we worked out. I met some really awesome people. I learned so many things about business and most importantly, myself as an entrepreneur."
Herbst's interest in business sparked when she took marketing and entrepreneurship classes at the high school. These classes were her favorite because they allowed her to free her creative spirit, which isn't always an option in a conventional high school class. These classes have influenced her positively, even to the point which she plans on majoring in business and marketing, as well as minoring in economics and psychology. She hopes she has the opportunity of opening an event planning business in the future. Although she is confident in regards to her choice of study, Herbst isn't entirely sure about which school she would like to attend in a year's time.
"Entrepreneurship was a class I really enjoyed because for our final project, we had to create a business of our own. That was something that made me think I really could be an entrepreneur," Herbst said.
Business is a passion of Herbst's, but it isn't the only hobby she has. She is involved in the school newspaper, NHS, and Student Council. During this past year, Herbst had the opportunity to serve on the prom committee. Just when you thought she couldn't get any busier, she doesn't disappoint us. She works at Wendy's and participates in many of her church's community activities, such as 500 Turkeys. Herbst is the definition of a well-rounded student, for she is able to keep herself busy with activities that satisfy her passion for love of entrepreneurship and helping others.