SMSD Student Chamber
Year In Review
2024 - 2025
Ongoing | Weekly
PLC Planning & Student Business Check-Ins
Ongoing | Weekly
@WebEx
​
Each week, educators and business professionals collaborated in a professional learning community (PLC) to support planning and check-ins for Student Chamber members. These sessions helped align course learning standards with real-world business resources and community priorities. Courses included Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Career and Life Planning, and Financial Literacy. Although Student Chamber events are available to all SMSD high school students, credit courses were aligned at Shawnee Mission West and Shawnee Mission South.
​​
July 15
Summer Student Chamber Focus Group
July 15, 2024
@Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
​
Students and partners explored the purpose and structure of Chambers of Commerce. The session helped lay the foundation for understanding how business communities support economic growth and education.
​​
September 11
1st Quarter
Student Chamber Meeting
September 11, 2024
@Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
​
Students connected for the new semester and reviewed the mission of the Student Chamber. Members were introduced to the role of the Chamber in supporting student businesses.
​​
September 18
Networking Session:
Kauffman Real World Learning Tour
September 18, 2024
@Shawnee Mission South High School
​
Students participated in a dynamic speed networking session where they shared their business ideas with educators and community professionals. The event fostered real-time feedback, confidence building, and professional relationship development.
​​
October 9
Pop Up:
Shawnee Mission Education Foundation Breakfast
October 9, 2024
@Overland Park Convention Center
Student Chamber members promoted their businesses to district leaders and community supporters. The event offered a professional setting for students to share their entrepreneurial ventures.
​​
November 7
Pop Up:
West Family Feeder Night
November 7, 2024
@Shawnee Mission West High School
​
Pre-K-8 students participated in an entrepreneurial activity with their families. The event promoted early engagement with business education in SMSD feeder schools.
​​
November 13
2nd Quarter
Student Chamber Meeting
November 13, 2024
@Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
​
Students explored how Chambers of Commerce foster business growth through presentations from OP Chamber board and KC SourceLink. Committees reflected on fall activities and helped plan for the winter season.
​​
November 15
Pop Up:
Downtown Overland Park
Mayor's Tree Lighting
November 15, 2024
@Downtown Overland Park
​
Student entrepreneurs participated in a community celebration while promoting their ventures. This high-traffic event provided visibility and sales opportunities for student-run businesses.
​​
November 21
Networking Session:
Global Entrepreneurship Week
November 21, 2024
@Union Station
Students joined entrepreneurs and mentors to celebrate innovation and business leadership. This session helped students refine their networking and customer service skills.
​​
Cyber Monday | December 2
Oak Park Mall
Window Display Update
Cyber Monday | December 2, 2024
@Oak Park Mall​
December 4
Pop Up:
Westridge Career Day
December 4, 2024
@Westridge Middle School
​
Student Chamber members led sessions at a middle school career event. They shared their entrepreneurial journeys and led middle school students through an activity about values and building a personal brand that is positive.
​​
January 29
3rd Quarter
Student Chamber Meeting
January 29, 2025
@SMSD Center for Academic Achievement
Students kicked off the new semester by revisiting the mission and goals of the SMSD Student Chamber. The highlight of the meeting was a near-peer entrepreneur presentation, where a young business owner shared his personal journey, challenges, and lessons learned. His story inspired students to stay committed to their ventures and leverage the Chamber network for support.
​​
January 31
Pop Up:
Opportunity Now Advisory Board Meeting
January 31, 2025
@Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Students delivered business updates to district leaders and Chamber partners. This meeting highlighted youth voice and real-world learning impact.
​​
March 11
Policy Committee
Student Chamber Meeting
March 11, 2025
@Overland Park Chamber and WebEx
Chamber leadership, educators, and students gathered twice during the year to discuss advocacy for student-owned businesses. The meeting focused on identifying barriers and proposing policy solutions to support young entrepreneurs across the district. Participants collaborated on ways to expand access to business resources and opportunities within Pre-K–12 education.
​
​
March 26
4th Quarter
Student Chamber Meeting
March 26, 2025
@The Culture House and
Federal Reserve Bank of KC
​
Students shared business updates and practiced their professional elevator pitches in preparation for the upcoming end-of-year showcase. The day included a visit to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, where students explored the role of financial institutions and gained insights into economic systems that impact entrepreneurship. The experience deepened their understanding of how local businesses connect to broader financial frameworks.
​​
ProX Regional Hiring Fair
March 29, 2025
Student Chamber members were encouraged to apply to the regional ProX summer internship program. The event also offered resume and interview support.
April 15
Pop Up:
Rosehill Elementary
April 15, 2025
@Rosehill Elementary School
Students led a classroom lesson for elementary students. They collaborated with the teacher to provide an age-appropriate activity to teach core concepts in entrepreneurial thinking.
​​
April 22 - 24
Pop Up:
SMSD R&D Forum
April 22-24, 2025
@SMSD Center for Academic Achievement
Student businesses were featured during the district’s Research & Development Forum. This high-traffic event celebration of innovation provided an opportunity for students to practice promoting their ventures while building connections with the SMSD community.
​​
April 30
Oak Park Mall
Window Display Update
April 30, 2025
@Oak Park Mall
April 30
SMSD Student Chamber
Startup Showcase Finale
April 30, 2025
@The Culture House at Oak Park Mall
​
The year culminated in a live business funding competition and showcase event. The top five student owned businesses presented their ventures to a panel of community leaders and celebrated their growth.
​​
May 5 - May 20
End of Year Transition Meetings
May 5 - May 20, 2025
@WebEx
Student business owners and their families were connected to Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to ensure ongoing support beyond the Pre-K-12 classroom. Through partnerships with organizations like KC SourceLink and the JCCC Small Business Development Center, students gained access to free resources, coaching, and mentorship.
​​
June 10
Startup Showcase Top Five Awarded Official Membership with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
June 10
@Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
For details about the Startup Showcase, click here.​​
