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YES Talent Search

High school students making catapults

Empowering Young Innovators

Event Dates: June 8-11, 2025
Awards Luncheon: June 11, 2025, at noon
Nominations Due: January 31, 2025
Location: University of Mary - Main Campus

Join us next summer here at the University of Mary for our Young Entrepreneur and STEM YES Talent Search! Over three days, you'll showcase your skills, meet some of North Dakota's most accomplished field leaders, and compete in one of two categories — Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM), or Entrepreneurship — to win a grand prize of $5,000 cash.

Who Can Participate

Yes 2025 is open to all North Dakota high school students. To register, first ask a teacher, a counselor, or a parent or guardian to nominate you. We'll reach out to you ASAP with specifics once we've reviewed your nomination form.

What to Expect

  • Areas of Interest: Students can submit projects in many categories, including science, cybersecurity, computer science, math, engineering, entrepreneurship, etc.

  • One-on-One Mentorship: You'll receive personalized guidance from experts in your area of interest as you perfect your project submission.

  • Networking Opportunities: While you're here on campus, you'll have no shortage of chances to get to know industry VIPs from across the state.

  • Generous Awards: The top three contestants in each track will walk away with full pockets — we're awarding $5,000 cash for first place, $3,000 for second, and $1,000 for third. In addition, if you take gold, silver, or bronze in your chosen category, your nominator will get $2,000, $1,000, or $500, respectively.

Questions?

Please contact Karel Sovak at 701-355-8042.