The Tangipahoa Parish School Board recognized Libby Hernandez, a recent Hammond High School graduate and founder of Fresh Dump, after she placed second in the national Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) competition.

Young Entrepreneurs Academy North Shore program manager Cynthia Widletts told the board the YEA is a 24‑week, after‑school program that teaches seventh‑through‑12th‑grade students how to build businesses and culminates in a three‑minute investor pitch. "The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is very much like Shark Tank for students," Widletts said, describing the program’s class schedule and judging process.

Nut Graf: The board’s recognition highlights a local entrepreneurship pipeline tied to regional partners and private sponsorship. Widletts said chapters use a standard template and work with the Small Business Development Center; the North Shore Community Foundation manages award funds for students who are ready to launch.

Libby Hernandez told the board she conceived Fresh Dump while working at her family’s Los Primo Supermarket and that the business performs commercial dumpster cleaning for restaurants and apartment complexes. "Fresh Dump is the name," Hernandez said. "I go around anywhere — apartment complexes, I have as of right now, I got 3 contracts. 2 restaurants and an apartment complex." Hernandez also told the board she won second place in a national competition that included 27 other students.

Board members and staff praised Hernandez and the YEA program for student development. Widletts said the program meets Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and that the North Shore chapter extended its application deadline to Sept. 10. She added that the program is subsidized by sponsors and that scholarships are available.

Ending: The board’s recognition included an invitation for families and potential mentors to learn more or apply at yeanorthshore.org. Widletts told the board staff and volunteers help students move from pitch awards to launching businesses through the North Shore Community Foundation’s reimbursement process.