Students Win With Business Ideas

Grove City, PA, May 8, 2017: On May 4th, five teams of students from local Butler county high schools competed with their business ideas in the 2nd Annual Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV (MIU IV) Final Business Pitch Contest. The contest involved MIU IV’s Entrepreneurship Academy students presenting their ideas in a five-minute presentation in front of potential investors and judges. The winning teams were:
1st Place: FNGRtip, team members from Knoch High School – Madison McCall, Brenna Moore, and Christina Rossi.

2nd Place: DonateYourData, team members from Knoch High School Megan Vettori, and Moniteau High School Kierra Thiry.

3rd Place: Bueno Bracelet, team members from Knoch High School Klaudia King and Jamie Gizienski, and from Moniteau High School Keiana Hovis.

4th Place: Boite D’Amour, team member from Moniteau High School Alexandra Jamison, and from Knoch High School Megan Thrower.

5th Place: Fox’s Woodworking, team members from Knoch High School Braden Fox and Trace Trempus, and from Moniteau High School Michael Williams.

The evening event attendees were treated to speeches including Educational Consultant Diane McGaffic sharing about MIU IV’s variety of program offerings in a three-county area. EAcademy Instructor Christen Dunn shared insights throughout the evening about the students’ experiences over the course of the academic year. And, PA State Representative Aaron Bernstine shared his passion for entrepreneurship and his own stories of being an entrepreneur with the students and families. “It takes hustle, giving things up, and work ethic to be an entrepreneur,” Bernstine shared. He also talked about the need for entrepreneurial thinking to build your brand and to care about your customers. Ms. Dunn added “Entrepreneurial thinking is important whether you start a business or work for others. This program for high school seniors helps prepare them for their careers ahead no matter what field.” The MIU IV supports entrepreneurship education in the districts with their program Entrepreneurship Academy. 75 senior high school students have graduated from this program over the past three years. The Academy will welcome 25 new students on BC3’s main campus in September for the new school year.

ABOUT

Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV (MIU IV) is one of twenty nine Intermediate Units serving schools in Pennsylvania. MIU IV serves the twenty seven school districts in Butler, Lawrence, and Mercer Counties. In addition to providing programs and services requested by area school districts, MIU IV also implements programs mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the State Board of Education, the General Assembly, and the US Department of Education. A variety of programs are offered for both students in the school districts and the professional development of teachers. For More Information, contact Diane McGaffic, diane.mcgaffic@miu4.org.

ABOUT

The MIU IV Entrepreneurship Academy @BC3 touches upon many levels of students’ interests: STEM concepts and application, acquiring business knowledge, and building the skills needed for college and career. Acquiring entrepreneurial skills—such as team collaboration, problem solving, leadership, and conflict management—are not only crucial for business endeavors but also for success in any career path. For More Information, contact Christen Dunn, christen.dunn@miu4.org. Additional information can be found at the class website entrepreneurshipacademy.net, click on “Media Kit.”

Photos and article submitted.