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the option to create a logo and ad for their business idea.  The $500 cash award was sponsored by McQuillen Creative Group.  Eighty-one entries were judged in this category, and the winner was The Basset by Miranda Panzer and Jennie Palmer of Pierre T.F. Riggs High School.
• The final event required finalists to make a 6 minute presentation on their idea for the three final judges - Chad Evans of Centennial Homes, Paul McDonald of Dacotah Bank, and Rod Tobin of Siegel, Barnett & Schutz.  After the presentations, all participants were invited to a panel discussion with AJ Hoffman of SoDak Sports, Heath Johnson of Dakota Plains Energy, and Erin Fouberg of Maggie Delaney.  They spoke about all aspects of being an entrepreneur.  Each panelist shared their achievements and struggles in starting and owning their own business, and offered advice for those who might one day want to turn their BIG Idea into reality.
• This year's BIG Idea competition also included an honorable mention award for those applicants who scored within 10% of the finalists. (See list below.)  Students from the following high schools participated in the 2013 BIG Idea Competition:  Aberdeen Central, Bowdle, Brandon Valley, Brookings, Canton, Doland, Dupree, Edmunds Central, Ethan, Faith, Groton, Ipswich, Iroquois, Jones County, Langford Area, Leola, Madison, Marion, Mobridge-Pollock, Northwestern, Pierre T.F. Riggs, Rapid City Central, Rapid City Christian, Red Cloud, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Spearfish, Tri-Valley, Warner, West Central, and White River.
• The BIG Idea Competition encourages students to consider new ideas and opportunities that can be implemented locally and to support them in creating an entrepreneurial view of their future.    The competition is coordinated by the Small Business Development Center, funded by Absolutely!Aberdeen with support from the Aberdeen Development Corporation, McQuillen Creative Group and the Tom and Danielle Aman Foundation.  The Competition is a result of the input and collaboration of many organizations including: Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Development Corporation, Aberdeen Downtown Association, Aberdeen Catholic School System - Roncalli High School, Aberdeen School District - Central High School, Dacotah Bank, Northern State University, and Presentation College.