Two North Carolina high school seniors have won $1,000 scholarships from The National Federation of Independent Business’ Young Entrepreneur Foundation’s 13th annual NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards.

The 2015 YEF Award winners from North Carolina are:

Agnes Hardenstine, who attends the Jimmy C. Draughn High School in Valdese, won a $1,000 NFIB/North Carolina Leadership Council Young Entrepreneur Award.

Agnes owns Agnes’ Bakery and plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America.

Anna Ward, who attends Green Hope High School in Cary, also won a $1,000 NFIB/North Carolina Leadership Council Young Entrepreneur Award.

Anna owns Anna’s Swim Lessons. She plans to attend George Mason University.

“We’re proud to support these young entrepreneurs,” said Gregg Thompson, state director of NFIB/North Carolina, the state’s leading small-business association. “It’s hard for anyone to start a business and keep it going, but it’s even harder when you have homework.”

In addition to recognizing these young entrepreneurs, the Foundation will honor five students selected as Young Entrepreneurs of the Year Award finalists at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on July 23rd.

During the event, the winners of the “2015 NFIB Young Entrepreneur of the Year” and “2015 NFIB Dan Danner Leadership Award” will be named and each awarded a $15,000 scholarship. The remaining three finalists will each receive a $5000.00 scholarship.

To qualify for an NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award, students must be seniors in high school who own and/or operate their own small business. They are required to write an essay describing their entrepreneurial endeavors and future goals. NFIB members around the country interview the applicants for the Young Entrepreneur Awards.

On the web: www.NFIB.com/YEF.