CARY – Cary-Grove High School’s Virtual Entrepreneurship International class qualified for a national competition for the first time this year, and now students are looking to raise money to travel to the competition in New York.

VEI teacher David Cook said his 24 students have spent the semester working on a concept for a unique home furnishings business called Auggie’s.

The capstone business class for juniors and seniors simulates the various components of running a business, Cook said, and students are broken up into teams – including sales, accounting and web design.

After the class wrote a 25-page business plan, seven students – Samantha Briggs, Dillon Zasada, Chris Walther, Sam Gamez, Tom Cassidy, Jack Bressett and Jenny O’Malley – traveled to Northern Illinois University to present the plan.

The students placed second in the State Business Plan competition, which qualified them for nationals, Cook said.

“I think the communication and presentation skills of these kids – I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything as good,” Cook said.

The students were confident, well-spoken, responded professionally to questions by the judges and had a realistic concept, Cook said.

In April they have a chance to compete in New York as part of VEI’s Youth Business Summit. The three-night trip would include a Human Resources Competition, Global Business Challenge, International Trade Show and more.

Walther, a senior, said his role in the class was chief financial officer and presenter. He’s hoping to pursue degrees in engineering and finance when he graduates.

“Going to New York will really help all of us that are going, and going to present, because it’s just a bigger stage for us, and we’ll get recognition and meet new people,” Walther said. “It’s just a great experience in the real world.”

Junior Matt Ahmann worked on the sales side of the project, and said he and other students were able to build leadership skills by delegating tasks.

“I’ve just seen everyone come into class and work hard at it, and everyone’s just really happy with the class and inspired,” Ahmann said.

Cook said he estimates it would cost about $8,500 to bring two supervisors and the seven students to New York.

The group’s fundraising page, www.gofundme.com/cghsvei, notes the students are going to be giving back to the community for supporting them by volunteering at a local hospice, JourneyCare.

“We understand we’re asking people to give to us, so we’d like to reciprocate the spirit of generosity and give to other people who need it,” Cook said.