LULING — Local high school students from the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Class of 2015 revealed their new start-up businesses Wednesday to the public, alongside other Chamber business professionals, at the 2015 Small Business Expo and YEA! Tradeshow & Graduation at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center in Luling.

The River Region Chamber of Commerce Business Expo offered area businesses an opportunity to maximize their visibility.

The presentation of YEA! businesses culminated nine months of hard work, resulting in the graduates owning and operating their own businesses.

The newest business owners of the River Parishes are:

Silly Sweet Shop CEO Justice Waite, 3L Color Guard Kiddie Camp CEO Ra’Janae Morris, Franckly Jerky CEO Charles Franck, MSC (Media Services Company) CEO Dalton Bergeron, Elijah’s Cell Phone Accessories CEO Elijah McKennis, Fogo Logos CEO Tristian McKinney, Scy-tech CEO Caleib Batiste and Sweet Retreats CEO Braxton Amos.

At YEA!, students are taught by local entrepreneurs and are introduced to guest lecturers, successful entrepreneurs and business mentors. They brainstorm ideas, write business plans and launch their own company or social movement.

YEA! runs during the academic year from November through May, with classes meeting every Wednesday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The program is accepting applications for next year’s YEA! Class of 2015-16.

To learn more or to R.S.V.P, call the Young Entrepreneurs Academy at the River Region Chamber of Commerce at 985-359-9777 or log onto riverregionchamber.org/YEA.