Our challenge is to use our economic resources wisely to satisfy our needs and wants, starting now and into the future.  The vital part of having a successful economics system in the future is still in high school.  The American Private Enterprise System is designed for juniors and seniors in high school to learn how our economy works at the local and national level.  The Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with Bowling Green Women’s Club, Warren County School System, Warren County Soil Conservation, Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corp., Farm Credit of Mid-America, US Bank, and eleven other local business leaders to conduct a three day program.

The American Private Enterprise Seminar (APES) has been held in Warren County for over fifty years. The three day impact program is offered to the top fifteen academic students in the junior class at each of the county high school.  During the three day long program youth scholars participated in discussion with local business leaders and government officials on six different topics.  The youth scholars toured local businesses to help them better understand the different types of businesses.  After each of the six discussion topics a quiz was given and a jackpot quiz was given at the end of the three day program.  The youth scholar with the highest score from each of the four high schools was named top scholar.  In Warren County there were 60 students in the 11^th grade and 4 students in the 12^th grade that participated in the program.  One youth scholar attended Kentucky Youth Seminar in June to represent Warren County.  He was awarded a $700 college scholarship, the third largest scholarship that is awarded to a youth scholar.  

A post-survey was given to every youth scholar at the end conclusion of the program. Before participating in the American Private Enterprise System Program, only 48% of the youth scholars said they were interested in having a career or majoring in college in a business related topic.  At the end of the program, 81% of the youth scholars said they were now interested in having a career or majoring in business.  Overall, 84% of the youth scholars were better able to understand how the different types of businesses operated through the tours and guest speakers.   One participant state when they start in the APES program they wanted to work for a law firm and by the end of the program they want to own the law firm.