West Orange Program for Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs

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Three students will be selected from each of the following Chamber Member Public High Schools:  Dr. Phillips High School, Maynard Evans High School, Olympia High School,Ocoee High School, West Orange High School and Windermere High School.

The following criteria is required of applicants for W.O.P.T.E.: 

• Students who demonstrate an interest in entrepreneurism
• Students who have the potential to play a prominent role in our community’s future
• Students who demonstrate a commitment and interest to serve our community
• Students who represent a cross-section of the community both geographically and ethnically
• Students must display good moral character
• Students must have no individual grade below a “C” during their sophomore year

W.O.P.T.E. is a West Orange Foundation program that is facilitated by the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and facilitated by the West Orange Foundation. It is sponsored by Walmart, Bright Future Electric and the Junebug Foundation. There is no tuition or other associated expense required of any participant. Additional expenses are donated by various businesses and business leaders. These groups are to be applauded for their generosity in making the vision of W.O.P.T.E. a reality. 

The primary mission of W.O.P.T.E. is to raise the awareness of our youth regarding the West Orange County business community and all it has to offer. With increased awareness of the area, it is hoped that students will be better informed regarding career opportunities, right here in West Orange County. W.O.P.T.E. is a six month program for select 11th grade students from Chamber member high schools.

Several of the sessions are field-trip like activities that expose the students to the history, legal and government, and physical environment of West Orange County. In two of the sessions, the Chamber partners with Junior Achievement of Central Florida to present two JA programs. The JA “Be Entrepreneurial” program allows students to develop a business and a business plan providing them with the skills to be tomorrow’s entrepreneur. The facilitator for this program is Deb Linden, Chairman of the DL Foundation.

In addition, the students participate in the JA “Job Shadow” programs in which the students visit two large employers in West Orange County to understand the many employment opportunities available; Manheim Orlando – one of the largest auto auctions in the country and Health Central, a part of the Orlando Health system.

This program requires a serious commitment of time and energy. In order to graduate with the class, participants must not miss not more than one (1) session. (Camp Wewa team building day is mandatory)

At the conclusion of the program, students and their parents will participate in a graduation ceremony to recognize their efforts in completing the program. The graduation ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Education Awards Ceremony in May 2019.