WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From NFTE. April 24, 2006: The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) today announced that Laura DeLucia, of White Plains has been selected as one of three winners in the thirteenth annual nationwide “NFTE Young Entrepreneurs of the Year” competition.  NFTE is an international nonprofit organization that teaches entrepreneurship and business skills to low-income young people.

Ms. DeLucia developed an interest in business while working for her grandfather. Her desire to learn more about running a business led her to NFTE. “NFTE gave me greater confidence in myself and my capabilities and in dealing with people in general. I’m doing better in my school work and plan on attending college. NFTE changed me,” said DeLucia.

Healing Hearts, One Basket at a Time, is the name of DeLucia’s business, a novel gift basket venture that promotes a heart healthy lifestyle. Using her grandmother’s recipes, which have been altered to meet the requirements of a healthy diet, DeLucia fills baskets with goodies she bakes herself and sells at American Heart Association events.

“Nothing is more rewarding than empowering young people with the belief that they can make a difference in their lives,” comments Joel Warren, Executive Director of NFTE’s Fairchester Division. “The remarkable results prove that NFTE’s unique entrepreneurial curriculum works and provides a structure for channeling creativity into profits.”

The three students will be honored at the New York City NFTE’s “Salute to the Entrepreneurial Spirit” awards dinner on April 25.  Winners receive a cash prize to serve as working capital for their businesses or to fund future educational pursuits.

The award winners were selected from competitors nationwide.  Scott Zuckerman and Fernando Arias, the other two winners are both seniors in New Rochelle High School.