SMSD Student Chamber
Year In Review
2025 - 2026
Ongoing | Weekly
PLC Planning & Student Business Check-Ins
Ongoing | Weekly
@WebEx
Each week, educators and community partners collaborated to plan Student Chamber experiences and support student business owners. These meetings connected classroom learning with real-world opportunities, coordinated business resources, and helped prepare students for networking events, startup showcases, and community engagement throughout the school year.
September 2025
1st Quarter
Student Chamber Meeting
September 2025
@Oak Park Mall Culture House
The Student Chamber kicked off the school year by exploring the role of chambers of commerce and strengthening professional networking skills. Students learned from community leaders, participated in interactive networking activities, collaborated on ideas for the year ahead, and explored how visual merchandising and marketing influence customer behavior throughout Oak Park Mall.
October 2025
Student Chamber
Business Coaching
October 2025
@Pawnee SEEK Center
High school Student Chamber members mentored elementary and middle school entrepreneurs by providing business coaching, encouragement, and feedback. The experience expanded leadership opportunities for Student Chamber members while helping younger students develop entrepreneurial confidence.
November 13
2nd Quarter
Student Chamber Meeting
November 2025
@Oak Park Mall Culture House
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.
