Madison County High School junior Westlynn Epps, owner of Works By Westlynn, recently received her $1,500 check from HireSmart Cares for winning first place in the MadiCo Makers Student Entrepreneur Program’s Shark Tank competition.

She’s now putting the grant money into action with her business.

“I have signed up for an event Sept. 14 out at a church in Athens, and I’m going to use some of this money to help buy the supplies I need to make everything and to pay the vendor fee, and buy whatever else is needed,” said Epps.

The Madison County High School junior’s Madison County-focused crafts made with a Cricut machine will be for sale at the “Fall Stop and Shop” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Family Life Center behind Central Baptist Church at 720 Danielsville Road, Athens.

Epps, who plans to study nursing, serves on the MCHS athletic training team and also swims competitively. She is part of the state champion Athens Area Bulldog Club.

HireSmart Cares funds a wide array of initiatives to help local youth like Epps be the leaders of tomorrow. The nonprofit focuses on workforce development, particularly for young people interested in agriculture and hands-on trade careers, providing scholarships, entrepreneurial grants, educational event registration and lodging expenses, facility expansions, material costs and more.

If you have an idea on how HireSmart Cares can help local youth develop the skills they need for successful careers, email info@hiresmartcares.org.