Limestone FCU Celebrates Student Innovation at Third Annual Learn It. Plan It. Pitch It. Competition
Limestone Financial Credit Union (Limestone FCU) and the Limestone Legacy Foundation (LLF) are proud to celebrate the success of the third year of its student entrepreneurial development program, Learn It. Plan It. Pitch It. (LIPIPI).
“At Limestone FCU, we believe in engaging with our youth, encouraging them to explore their ideas while providing them with relevant actionable financial literacy. This program is about more than business planning, it’s about providing real-world experiences where students can develop valuable skills, build confidence, and explore entrepreneurialism as a future career path. The participants represent the future of our business community, and we’re proud to be part of their journey.”
— Jennifer Watson, CEO, Limestone FCU
The 12-week program, designed to empower young inventors and entrepreneurs, culminated in a dynamic Pitch It Competition held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Manistique Middle & High School Community Room. Students from Manistique Area Schools presented their business ideas to a panel of judges, community members, and supporters.
Over the course of the program, students developed their own business ideas, gathered market data, created budgets, and received coaching from industry professionals. Workshops covered key areas such as branding, business development, and financial planning. Participants also received one-on-one mentorship and pitch coaching to prepare them for the final competition.
“Over the course of 12 weeks, I had the opportunity to work alongside 7th- and 8th-grade students as they developed business ideas completely from scratch. We began by identifying needs within the community and moved through every stage of the entrepreneurial process—from building business plans and calculating start-up and operating costs to developing logos and branding. These students dedicated countless hours to creating presentations grounded in real-world pricing and business projections, and the results were truly impressive. We are incredibly proud to offer entrepreneurial programming at Manistique Middle and High School, especially in a community that is deeply supported by small, local businesses.”
— Kiarra Herson, Member Education Coordinator, Limestone FCU
This year’s winners are:
1st Place: Bauer Marcotte (7th Grade) – Campus Companion
2nd Place Tie: Nick Gauthier (8th Grade) – Indian Lake Bait & Tackle, and Ryder Casteel (7th Grade) – Casteel Landscaping & Cleaning
3rd Place: Tennille Faketty (8th Grade) – Wear It Well
In addition to taking home a tie in second place, Nick Gauthier also won the People’s Choice Award for his business, Indian Lake Bait & Tackle.
All students who participated in the 2026 LIPIPI program demonstrated creativity, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit. The full list of student entrepreneurs includes:
- Ryder Casteel | 7th Grade | Casteel Landscaping & Cleaning
- Bauer Marcotte | 7th Grade | Campus Companion
- Nick Gauthier | 8th Grade | Indian Lake Bait & Tackle
- Tennille Faketty | 8th Grade | Wear It Well
LFCU and its partners extend their congratulations to all the participants and thank the community for their continued support of this impactful program, and to our volunteer judges; Alan Barr, Owner of Barr Team – Keller Williams Northern Michigan Peninsula Partners, Amy Berglund, Director of Business Initiatives at InvestUP, Victoria George, Executive Director of Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce, Travis Wood, Realtor and Entrepreneur, and James Studinger, Owner of JPStudinger Wealth Advisors and Founder of Tour Da Yoop, Eh.
For more information about LIPIPI or upcoming youth development initiatives, please contact Kiarra Herson, Member Education Coordinator for Limestone FCU, at 906-341-3118 x1247 or kherson@limestonefcu.com.
