While most students were in school on October 22, some were flying across the nation. The Future Farmers of America and senior Evan Kaufman flew out of Wichita to Chicago. Once in Chicago, Kaufman and business teacher Lisa Yoder continued on to New York for the Nifty 2008 Entrepreneurship Competition.

Kaufman started working on his presentation only five days before the competition. His presentation was about getting a loan for the landscaping part of his year- old business, Grassmasters, LLC.

In the summer of 2007, he made his business legal. He has been working with Grassmasters, LLC since then.

When Kaufman and Yoder arrived at their hotel in New York, which was the Marriot Marquee in Times Square, they set right to work. Kaufman had to compete to not get kicked out on the first round. He made it through to the semi-finals. He placed 12th overall of 30 people.

“Evan did awesome,” Yoder said. “His plan and presentation were exceptional.”

Kaufman started his business through Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEK). He competed with his Grassmasters, LLC business in the classroom competition, and then went on to win the regional competition. The regional competition was between Kaufman and a student in the Kansas City region. Since Kaufman won the regional competition, he went to nationals. Out of five people, he won the first round of competition in New York. After the first round, he lost in the second round. The second round was between him and three others.

“I was very frustrated,” Kaufman said.

While Kaufman did not think the judges placed him as well as he should have, he still had a good time.

“I talked to everyone,” Kaufman said. “I made a lot of connections.”

The trip rushed Kaufman. He left on Wednesday, and flew home on Friday morning in time for the football game.

“It was in New York by morning and Ark City by night,” Kaufman said.

Even though the competition was in New York, Kaufman and Yoder did not have much time for sightseeing. Their hotel overlooked Times Square, and that was all the sightseeing they could squeeze in.

“I loved it,” Kaufman said. “I was 12 stories up looking down on Times Square.”

Yoder enjoyed the trip as well. There was only one bad part.

“The (worst memory would have to be) the results, just because we felt that his presentation warranted him being in the top three,” Yoder said. “His presentation was the most detailed and had the most accurate plan presented.”

Despite a finish that neither Kaufman nor Yoder liked, they still enjoyed their time.

“I got an all expense paid trip to New York,”Kaufman said. “And I got a shot at $10,000.”