U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) congratulated Jennifer Goebel of Plano for winning one of six National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)/ Visa Young Entrepreneur Awards.  Over 6,000 high school students applied for the prestigious scholarship and accolade worth up to $5,000. 

Goebel, a 2009 Plano West Senior High School (PWSH) graduate, owns All American Dance Company that teaches ballet and tap dance classes in private day care centers to children ages 2 – 12.  For a photo of Goebel with Johnson, contact McCall Avery at 202-225-4201.  

“I want to congratulate Jennifer on winning a prestigious NFIB/ Visa Young Entrepreneur Award,” said Johnson.  “Jennifer shows the initiative and vision of someone well beyond her years.  I am proud of her,” said Johnson. 

Eager for something more than just a summer job, Goebel started her business at the age of 16.  Inspired by a Communications Applications class at Jasper High School and the book “Copy This” by the founder of Kinkos, Paul Orfalea, Goebel combined her passion for dance and her drive to create a business of her own.  Her company has already grown eight times since its inception and Goebel presently employs two people.  She now has a license for All American Dance Company to teach classes at any Kinder Care daycare facility, a national daycare company.   Information about her business can be found at www.All-AmericanDance.com.   

Goebel will attend Millsap College in Mississippi in the fall.  She plans to teach dance classes in Mississippi as well. 

While at PWSH, Goebel served on Johnson’s Third District Congressional Youth Advisory Council and as a Page in the United States Senate on Capitol Hill during her junior year in the spring semester of 2008.  An avid dancer and performer, Goebel starred in the lead role of “Annie” put on by the Plano Metropolitan Ballet Company.  She also participated in the PWSH in school pop choir "Syncopation" and chorale.  

In addition to capturing the NFIB/ Visa Young Entrepreneur Award, Goebel won the McKelvey Foundation Entrepreneurial scholarship, the Else School of Management scholarship, and was a TCU Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year scholarship winner. 

The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award program is an educational scholarship for high school seniors pursuing higher education and their entrepreneurial dreams.  The foundation hopes that by enabling young entrepreneurs in their educational endeavors, the nation's youth will understand the critical role that private enterprise and entrepreneurship play in the building of America.  Since 2003, the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation has awarded 1,954 scholarships to graduating high school seniors totaling $2,122,000. 

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin counties.