A crowd of more than 70 students, business mentors, teachers and family supporters felt the tension on Wednesday night at the closely-contested Bay of Plenty Coromandel Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Financial Independence Regional Awards.

Team NZ spirit: Aaron Baxendine, Jason Wood, Harley Johnston, and Reuben Griffin.

The evening was the business highlight of the year for many of the students, as three of the local colleges learned they would be sending students to the black-tie National Awards dinner in Wellington, in front of YES Patron and Governor General Jerry Matehaere.

The three winners were NZ spirit from Tauranga Boys' College; Wrap-it‘s Drisana Sheely, from Tauranga Girls' College; and Grant's Grindz from Otumoetai College.

Regional YES coordinator Ewan McLeod of McLeod Careers says he is excited for the three teams.

'I'm so proud of these three local YES teams who have produced some outstanding work.

'This is the first year, I believe, that three teams and their YES teachers will be representing our region at the December 1 blue ribbon event, with thousands of dollars in prizes at stake, along with national recognition.”

Premier sponsor Phil Holland from Financial Independence says it is a great event for Financial Independence to be associated with.

'I congratulate the teams, YES teachers, mentors and family supporters for all the hard work that you have put into your businesses in 2011.

'This evening celebrates your efforts – the fun that you've had and your experiences in dealing with the challenges that you have faced. I wish I had been involved in a programme like this when I was at secondary school.”

The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme has been operating for 30 years as a year-long secondary school national business competition and has an estimated 50,000 NZ alumni scattered throughout the world.

For more information about the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme's alumni programme visit www.yetrust.co.nz or phone Ewan 07 578 8147 if you have a good story to tell or you want to offer your business experience as a YES mentor.