Each step Mike Adams takes through the halls of Mount Mansfield Union High School brings him closer to graduation. He says, "It's nice to get on with life and see where life will take me."

He's off to Bryant University in Rhode Island this fall. The eighteen year old will study business, but he has a leg up on his class work. He's already his own boss. Adams chuckles, "People don't believe I have a business. Kids at school say, 'no you don't!' and I say, 'oh yes I do!'"

Adams makes Eddie's Energy Bars. Developed following an MMU business class, and named for his dad, the snacks are a combination of apricots, honey, wheat germ, yogurt, oats, brown sugar, and raisins. Adams points out, "No junk, no preservatives."

Each week, Mike delivers to several stores around Chittenden County, including the Jericho Center Country Store. Store clerk Alex Possidente says, "When we tell people they're made by an eighteen year old high school senior, they're shocked."

The store has carried Eddies' since early May. Sales are growing steadily. The staff says the all-natural bars improve upon popular national brands like the PowerBar or Balance Bar. Possidente says, "Obviously at the beginning, people didn't know about them, but once they tried them and word got around, they're selling well."

During his human biology class at MMU, Adams researched the ingredients in Eddie's Energy Bars. He used his lab findings to create the nutritional information labels that he affixes to his products.

When Mike heads off to college, his parents will continue making and distributing the product. MMU business teacher Laurel Butler has high hopes for her student's success. She says, "He's a risk-taker, he's very entrepreneurial, he thrives on new ideas and energy."

The teen doesn't expect he'll be in the Made in Vermont energy bar biz forever, but plans to return to his home state after graduating from Bryant. Adams says, "I love Vermont. I love to market products and I'd like to be a sales rep. I'd also love to open a dessert bar in Richmond."

With many young people leaving Vermont, more Mike Adams would mean more energy for the Green Mountain State.