Courtesy photo Shown above are the participants in the second annual “Learn It. Plan It. Pitch It.” entrepreneurial program. The students who participated were Leiona Deyo, Lillian LaVance, Kale Dillion, Cooper Castellano, Leslie Connin, and Lily Knaffla.

MANISTIQUE — Limestone Financial Credit Union, in collaboration with MSU Extension of Schoolcraft County and Upward Community Youth, Inc. (UCY), is proud to celebrate the success of the second year of its student entrepreneurial development program, “Learn It. Plan It. Pitch It.” (LIPIPI).

“At Limestone FCU, we believe in engaging with our youth, encouraging them to explore their ideas while providing them with relevant actionable financial literacy. This program is about more than business planning, it’s about providing real-world experiences where students can develop valuable skills, build confidence, and explore entrepreneurialism as a future career path. The participants represent the future of our business community, and we’re proud to be part of their journey,” said Jennifer Watson, CEO of Limestone FCU.

The six-week program, designed to empower young inventors and entrepreneurs, culminated in a dynamic Pitch It Competition held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Manistique Middle and High School Community Room. Middle and high school students from Manistique Area Schools presented their business ideas to a panel of judges, community members, and supporters.

Over the course of the program, students developed their own business ideas, gathered market data, created budgets, and received coaching from industry professionals. Workshops covered key areas such as branding, business development, and financial planning. Participants also received one-on-one mentorship and pitch coaching to prepare them for the final competition.

This year’s winners are:

1st Place: Lily Knaffla (10th Grade) – By Lily & Nature

2nd Place: Leslie Connin (10th Grade) – Toe Beans Cat Café and Bookstore

3rd Place: Cooper Castellano (8th Grade) – Gaming Café

In addition to taking home first place, Lily Knaffla also won the People’s Choice Award for her business, By Lily & Nature.

All students who participated in the 2025 LIPIPI program demonstrated creativity, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit. The full list of student entrepreneurs includes:

• Leiona Deyo | 8th Grade | Northern Lights Skating Designs

• Lillian LaVance | 8th Grade | Lilly’s Gluten-Free Goods

• Kale Dillion | 8th Grade | Kale’s Keychains

• Cooper Castellano | 8th Grade | Gaming Café

• Leslie Connin | 10th Grade | Toe Beans Cat Café and Bookstore

• Lily Knaffla | 10th Grade | By Lily & Nature

Limestone FCU and its partners extended their congratulations to all the participants and thanked the community for their continued support of this impactful program. A special thanks was given to the volunteer judges, Alan Barr, owner of Barr Team – Keller Williams Northern Michigan Peninsula Partners; Amy Berglund, director of business initiatives at InvestUP; Dr. Kristina Hansen, superintendent at Manistique Area Schools; Travis Wood, realtor and entrepreneur; and James Studinger, owner of JPStudinger Wealth Advisors and Founder of Tour Da Yoop, Eh.

For more information about LIPIPI or upcoming youth development initiatives, contact Jill Connin, education coordinator and program coordinator for Limestone FCU and MSU Extension of Schoolcraft County, at 906-286-3327 or conninji@msu.edu. Additional details can be found at limestonefcu.com/learn-it-plan-it-pitch-it/.