Andrew Hageman and Zac Stahlhut with their business mentor, Chad McWhinney

Two businesses owned by Stapleton youths were among 10 businesses that received awards at the 12th annual Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs dinner and awards ceremony on Sept. 10. Andrew Hageman and Zac Stahlhut, both 12, won in the 12-15 age category (and were finalists in 2012). Their business, ZARL, Inc., sells homemade launchers and toy rockets made from recycled materials and conducts rocket-launching parties for people of all ages. As $1,000 winners, they have been matched with a business mentor for a year, Chad McWhinney, CEO of McWhinney Enterprises, a real estate development company.

Allison Winn, finalist for her non-profit Stinkbug Project.

Allison Winn, 13, was a finalist for her non-profit Stinkbug Project. The program supports families who have a child diagnosed with a life-threatening illness by providing well-trained, loving companion dogs. The dogs are trained by offenders at Colorado Correctional Industries, who gain skills and earn a salary for their work training dogs. Both businesses have previously been showcased in the Front Porch. The competition is sponsored by Comcast and the Allstate Foundation and hosted by the Young Americans Center for Financial Education. Congratulations to these creative and successful young entrepreneurs.