WWW.KANSAN.COM
VOLUME 118 ISSUE 54
AWARDS
Business plan earns scholarship bucks
BY JEFF DETERS
jdeters@kansan.com
Julio Mata Jr. has never set foot in a tan ning salon.
But his business plan for a bilingual tanning salon has won a national award and earned him a $2,000 renewable four-year scholarship.
Mata, a Kansas City, Kan., freshman majoring in business management, won first place at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Bizfest, a competition and training program for high school and college students interested in a career in business. The competition, which ran from Sept. 19-22 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, required students to create a business plan complete with financial information. But Mata was, at one time, without a plan at all.
In regionals last spring, Mata, a then-high school senior, was still searching for the right
were due. One of his trainers opened a phone book and on it were ads for tanning salons. Mata began his research at about midnight and stayed up until 4 a.m. working on his new plan. Mata's late-night work paid off, however, as he finished second at regionals.
"I was confident in myself when I presented it," he said. "So that's what helped me. I didn't think I was going to place second, but I thought I'd be in the top three."
Mata said the concept of a bilingual tanning salon was incorporated because he speaks Spanish and English and thought the salon would be better equipped to serve customers.
At the Bizfest finals in September, Mata was again up until the wee hours of the morning getting more accurate financial numbers in regards to loans, rent, utility bills and other expenses. Mata was rewarded again but this time with the first-place award.
"I guess I work better under pressure," he
In addition to the award and scholarship, Mata has been offered an all-expensespaid trip to attend the USHCC Legislative Conference in March, an internship this summer with the USHCC in Washington, D.C., and another summer internship with Sprint.
Mata said one of the things he learned from the competition was the importance of networking. He said meeting people from Sprint and Google helped him learn a great deal about managing finances of big businesses. Mata said in the future he wanted to work in international business.
Susana Rodriguez, Kansas City, Kan. freshman, also competed at Bizfest. Rodriguez, a French and pre-medicine major, submitted a business plan called HealthCARE for All. It featured a clinic for Hispanics and uninsured people.
She said she chose that idea because a year ago her dad was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and his medical coverage expired, mak-
"In Puerto Rico I met so many people that I have a lot in common with, and we still keep in touch," she said.
Rodriquez did not place at nationals but said she made new friends and enjoyed networking with business professionals.
Carlos Gomez, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said that during the past five years Kansas City-area students had routinely placed in the top three of the competition but never first until this year.
"They did tremendous," he said. "We are very proud of them."
Rodriquez, who might someday want to open her own clinic, offered a suggestion to those interested in a business career: Always ask for the business cards of people you meet.
"You never know when you might need to contact them," she said.
Julio Mata, Kansas City, Kan., freshman, won a renewable $2,000 scholarship for his business model for a bilingual tanning salon. Mata won the first place award at Riffest national's September in San Juan.
Andrew Wacker/KANSAN
11. 01.2007 = JAYPLAY
scene
GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL PARKS
With so many parks to choose from, you might have trouble deciding which ones to visit.
The blazing Kansas summer is nowhere to be found; fall is now upon us. Leaves have turned red and blustery breezes have replaced warm winds, which makes this season the perfect time to appreciate your outdoor surroundings. Instead of relying on electronic devices and fermented beverages to pass the time, visit the 52 beautiful parks in Lawrence once in a while before winter comes. Parks are for everybody regardless of age or gender. You can relax, let go of your stress, and take in the beauty of nature, which is often taken for granted, says Roger Steinbrock, marketing supervisor of Lawrence Parks
By Songbae Cheon
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PARK IN LAWRENCE?
Robyn Lee, Lawrence junior
Favorite Park Off-leash Dog Park
"I like to take my dogs and walk around there. It's good place."
good place to sit and watch the dogs play."
senior
senior
Favorite
Park:
Japanese
Friendship
Garden
I really like
it because
it's right
by Mass.
You can just
go on.
Brennan Ryan, Los Angeles
Dustin Luthro, Olathe junior
Dustin Lut
Favorite
Park:
Centennial
Park
"it's got the
big open
area. I see
people
playing
soccer or
football a lot.I like the skate park there,too."
Top: The Japanese Garden is located on Massachusetts Street next to Papa Keno's. The garden was built to represent and celebrate the 10-year relationship with Lawrence's sister city, Hiratsuka, Japan.
Bottom: The garden is an excellent place for relaxation and mediation and has many plants such as Japanese maples, cherry trees and bamboo to correlate with the Asian atmosphere.
and Recreation Department. Let me introduce some of Lawrence's best parks.
CENTENNIAL PARK 600 ROCKLEDGE ROAD
Centennial Park is one of the best-known parks among college students because of its disc golf course, Steinbrock says. Because it provides many sources of entertainment, this park has acquired many nicknames: Rocket Park, Skate Park and Frisbee Golf Park to name a few. The name Rocket Park comes from the Polaris missile that was constructed during the Cold War, and the park is also known for its large skate park located on the west side, which attracts hundreds of skate lovers every day.
Another entertaining aspect of this park is the 18-hole disc golf course. The sport shares similar characteristics and rules with traditional golf, but it uses a flying disc instead of golf balls and clubs. It's much easier to learn and takes little money to play. The game is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages regardless of their economic status, says Morris Judd, member of the Professional Disc Golf Association.
JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN 1045 MASSACHUSETTS ST.
If you are looking for an exotic place to meditate, or need a quiet oasis when you are shopping downtown, visit the Japanese Friendship Garden. The park is relatively small compared to other parks, but it's the perfect place to let your body and mind rest. Jacob Swartwout, Belleville, Ill., junior, visits the garden from time to time. He says the garden puts him into a perfect mood to think over complicated matters. Various objects, such as stone sculptures, and plants, like Japanese maples, cherry trees and bamboo, add to the Asian atmosphere. This aesthetic garden was built to celebrate
ALL PHOTOS BY JESSICA CRABAUGH
the 10-year anniversary of Lawrence's relationship with its sister city, Hiratsuka, Japan. Representatives from Hiratsuka came to Lawrence to help design and plan the park several years ago. The staff of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department worked with them to create this exotic garden. The city of Hiratsuka also shipped two major pieces from Japan; a lantern and a human-sized stone tower.
"The gorgeous atmosphere here helps me capture piece of mind," Swartwout says.
SOUTH PARK
1141 MASSACHUSETTS ST.
Located in the heart of downtown, South Park is the oldest park in Lawrence. It was founded in 1854 as part of the original town site. It is probably utilized the most in Lawrence as the venue for many public concerts and community events like The Fall Arts and Crafts Festival, Steinbrock says. Weddings are often held here, as well, because of the
beautiful scenery, including a fountain and flower gardens. Incidentally, the fountain is of historical significance. It dates back to 1910 when President Teddy Roosevelt was present
also help to create memories with friends and families.Parks provide a place for students to experience the other side of life—away from the textbook,* Steinbrock says.
at its dedication.
"I think college students should visit parks to relieve the stresses inherent to college. It would help them refresh and rejuvenate. Parks
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