Students shine in business plan competition

Mercer Island High School (MIHS) student Luca Cero placed first in the Seattle Competition for Young Entrepreneurs (SCYE) business plan competition on Nov. 4.

Young MIHS entrepreneurs Benjamin Viafore, Nikesh Woerner and Douglas Stovall ran the competition in partnership with the DECA chapter of MIHS.

With the help of Jen McLellan, a teacher and adviser at MIHS, along with the Mercer Island DECA chapter, the students created the nonprofit SCYE.

Cero was awarded $1,000 for first, MIHS student Matthew Walzer took second ($500 prize) and MIHS student Catherine Chen placed third ($250 prize).

From left to right at the Seattle Competition for Young Entrepreneurs business plan competition on Nov. 4, Ashwin Krishnaswamy (officer), Douglas Stovall (vice president), Benjamin Viafore (treasurer), second-placer Matthew Walzer and Nikesh Woerner (president). Courtesy photo

From left to right at the Seattle Competition for Young Entrepreneurs business plan competition on Nov. 4, Ashwin Krishnaswamy (officer), Douglas Stovall (vice president), Benjamin Viafore (treasurer), second-placer Matthew Walzer and Nikesh Woerner (president). Courtesy photo

From left to right, Ashwin Krishnaswamy, Benjamin Viafore, Douglas Stovall, third-placer Catherine Chen and Nikesh Woerner. Courtesy photo

From left to right, Ashwin Krishnaswamy, Benjamin Viafore, Douglas Stovall, third-placer Catherine Chen and Nikesh Woerner. Courtesy photo