Lincoln High School’s Golden Eagle Industries earned first place in a new statewide case competition that their teacher calls “a big win” for the students and the school.
The students who prepared the winning presentation included Gavin Trent, Gavin Newton, Kaila Arthur, Ellie Mettler, Cole Dick, Whitney Lynn, Josh Gibson, Tupelo Troxell, Garin Beal, Adam Keiser, Sarah Nieukirk, Shannon Moore and Thomas Taylor.
For its victory, LGEI receives a $6,000 cash prize from Conexus Indiana to support its School-based Enterprise (SBE), an in-school entrepreneurial advanced manufacturing and logistics business that students manage and operate.
Conexus Indiana Student Industries is a statewide network of high schools dedicated to developing advanced manufacturing and logistics talent through SBEs.
“The case competition with Conexus was a great experience that has made this business feel even more real,” said Ellie Mettler. “It felt amazing to present our student engagement ideas to powerful business leaders. With the prize money, the possibilities are endless, and us senior managers are leaving those possibilities open to the next generation of LGEI.”
LHS students presented a program they completed this school year to increase student engagement and improve company culture and student employability skills.
The initiatives they presented not only addressed attendance rates and job satisfaction, but ultimately expanded to involve school administration and positively impact the entire student body.
Competing schools were divided into two groups for judging, with a first and second place awarded to each. Perry Central Jr./Sr. High School also earned a first. Orleans and White River Valley finished second.
Judges came from industry and education, including Amatrol Inc., Arcamed, Hitachi Astemo, IUPUI, Kem Krest, Subaru of Indiana Automotive and the Hendey Group.
Kevin Munchel, who serves as LGEI chair and teaches engineering/advanced manufacturing, said he couldn’t be prouder of the current LGEI management team.
“I’m going to miss them way more than they realize, as we’ve accomplished some great things in the last two years,” Munchel said. “They’re off to do some great things when they leave Lincoln though. They have certainly set the bar high for the future of LGEI.”
A version of this article appeared in the May 10 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.