Cool Kid Riley McGaugh proves it's never too early to take on entrepreneurship.

Riley McGaugh possesses all the attributes of a future entrepreneur. She’s highly intelligent, self-motivated, widely read, and has already received an award at the local Biz Kids program held in August. She was one of the top six placewinners and earned a cash prize of $150.00, of which $95.15 was pure profit. Riley created Riley’s Re-Marks, a collection of artfully decorated book marks. “Biz Kids helped me learn about customer service and explaining things to people,” she said. While becoming a business owner in the future—Books and Baked Goods being an idea—she has plenty of other interests. She loves free writing and reading— currently Lion Down by Stuart Gibbs. Riley also enjoys the Warrior Cats book series and history, general fiction, and fantasy novels. She has a lot to choose from because this sixth grader reads at a high school level. Her former teacher, Jamie Coobs at Emma Wilson, had this to say: “I had the pleasure of being Riley’s teacher. Riley is an exceptional student. She was not only extremely bright, but she was

highly creative and artistic.” Her artistic flair is evident in the 7’ by 32’ mural on one of the classroom exterior walls. She entered the school contest, won it, and painted the mural herself. But, as is the case of every grammar school student who’s been chosen as a Cool Kid this year, Riley also has another defining factor, according to Coombs. “More importantly, Riley is one of the most caring, conscientious, and kind-hearted students I’ve ever had. Riley has made a large impact in our classrooms and on campus.” Riley is looking forward future entrepreneur to attending Chico Junior High, where she’s enrolled in honors English, honors science, honors social science, and in leadership. She’s also a little apprehensive. “I’m going from the top of the school chain to the bottom!” The schedule at Chico Junior has changed this year, and sixth graders will have different lunch times than the seventh and eighth graders, and that will make things easier on the younger kids. Outside of school, Riley played softball for the first time, and as fortune would have it, she played for the Lady Tigers who won the league. Some of her teammates went on to play for the highly successful all-star team who went to the Little League State Championship. “I felt good at the end of the season because I did end up getting a few hits,” she said. Riley’s mom and dad, Jerod Spini and Allie Spini McGaugh, are very proud of their daughter. “During Covid, Riley would get up at 5:30am and head to the computer for distance learning. I’d have to tell her no one was up that early so she’d have to wait,” said Allie. Riley’s school experience can be summed up by the fact she’s never received a detention or citation. Now that is dedication.