Harrisburg, Pa.-A Mechanicsburg (Pa.) High School senior violinist was awarded the first place prize in the annual Cindy Rowe Young Entrepreneur Contest for starting and running her own music performance and instruction company.

Lauren Waltz, a senior at Mechanicsburg High School, took the top honor, which includes a prize of $2,750. Her company, Lauren Waltz Music Studio, parlayed her love of music and her talent as a violinist into a profitable business, and offers private lessons and solo and string music for special events.

"Lauren is one of the most exceptional young people we have evaluated in the history of our contest," said Cindy Rowe, founder and president of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass. "Her combination of business acumen, passion for her music and her desire to make a positive difference in her community and the world made her the applicant that stood out."

Waltz dedicates 7 to 8 hours a week to her business and in her spare time volunteers as a peer tutor at her high school, participates in the Harrisburg Youth Symphony, and plays the violin for the Country and Town Baptist Church in Mechanicsburg. Additionally, she developed and implemented a music therapy program for special education students in her high school through her involvement with the Pennsylvania Governor's School, which will continue after she graduates next month.

Second place was awarded to a Hershey (Pa.) High School senior who runs his own lawn care company.

Kyle McCorkel, a senior at Hershey High School, won second place and a prize of $1,750. He founded and operates KW Lawnrangers, a lawn service company, with his brother in Hummelstown. KW Lawnrangers is a full-service lawn care and landscaping company, offering lawn mowing, mulching, edging and stump and debris removal.

Scott Drexel of Douglassville, a senior at Daniel Boone Area High School, captured third place and a prize of $1,250. The Drexel Christmas Tree Sale took place during last year's holiday season, selling 72 trees to local customers.

The awards were announced at a May 12 ceremony at the Hershey Golf Club.

Now in its sixth year, the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Young Entrepreneur of the Year program has awarded over $30,000 to area high school students who have demonstrated ingenuity and skill in launching their own businesses.