SMSD Student Chamber
2024 - 2025 Impact
Kansas City Metro Area
Pilot Year Reach
The SMSD Student Chamber’s pilot year demonstrated both local and national reach through a blend of in-person and web-based engagement. While students connected face-to-face through events and showcases, their ideas were also shared widely online—allowing friends, family, and community members to engage from across the Kansas City area and beyond. This hybrid model empowered students to grow their businesses while sharing their work at the local, national, and global levels.
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Resources and additional highlights from this inaugural year are detailed in the Year in Review section.
Engagement | Student Events and Activities
The SMSD Student Chamber’s pilot year focused on developing strategies and resources that allow engagement at all grade levels. Market Value Assets (MVAs) were earned through student-led business experiences, including launching original ventures and completing client projects for peer-owned student businesses. High school students also served as ambassadors, leading entrepreneurial activities for PK–8 students, building leadership skills and helping grow a districtwide pipeline of entrepreneurial thinkers.
Resources and additional highlights from this inaugural year are detailed in the Year in Review section.
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1
School District
Shawnee Mission School District
5
High Schools
Shawnee Mission West, South, North, East, and Northwest
2
Pre-K-8 Schools
Westridge Middle School
Rosehill Elementary
329
PK-12 Students Engaged
Number of students involved in SMSD Student Chamber activities and events.​
35
Entrepreneurship MVAs
Students who identified a need and worked on an original idea or business venture.
43
Client Project MVAs
Students who worked on an idea or business venture that was identified by others.
210
High School Students
Number of students across all high schools that were involved in Student Chamber activities and events.​
67
Middle School Students
7-8th grade students who were involved in Student Chamber activities and events.
52
Elementary Students
Pre-K-6 students who were involved in SMSD Student Chamber activities and events.
Engagement | Industry Partners
The SMSD Student Chamber’s pilot year included intentional collaboration with industry partners to provide students with authentic feedback, mentorship, and exposure to Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Business leaders served as guest speakers, pitch competition judges, and strategic advisors - supporting student ventures while modeling professional standards. These connections reinforced the value of Real World Learning and created pathways for students to expand their ideas beyond the classroom.
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Resources and additional highlights from this inaugural year are detailed in the Year In Review section.
7
Guest Speakers
Industry professionals who provided presentations.
6
Field Experiences
Opportunities for students to get out of the traditional classroom learning space and into the real world.
75
Network Connections
Ecosystem connections through networking events, inlcuding OP Chamber and Real World Learning meetings.
Student Business Promotion
The SMSD Student Chamber’s pilot year prioritized creating high-visibility opportunities for students to promote their businesses and build confidence as young entrepreneurs. Student-owned ventures were featured in rotating window displays at Oak Park Mall, participated in pop-up sales events, and shared promotional flyers at community and district events. These experiences allowed students to practice branding, marketing, and customer engagement in real-world settings, elevating their presence within the local business community.
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Resources and additional highlights from this inaugural year are detailed in the Year in Review section.
12
Months of Promotion
5
Sales Opportunity Days
100%
Coach Connections
Startup Showcase
The SMSD Student Chamber’s pilot year culminated in a multi-phase Startup Showcase held in conjunction with the SMSD Research & Development Forum. The Startup Showcase included a three-day pop-up marketplace where student business owners promoted and sold their products to the public. Simultaneously, students participated in the first round of a funding competition, which featured a seven-day public voting period designed to increase visibility and community engagement. The top five finalists advanced to the live pitch round, where they presented their ventures to a panel of judges for a chance to receive seed funding and recognition.
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Resources and additional highlights from this inaugural year are detailed in the Year in Review section.
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2,300+
Supporters
Unique visitors who joined in-person and online in support of student owned businesses.
$2,000
Startup Funding
Funding supported three student owned businesses.
Online Connections
Our web-based connections were from the following sources:​
