MCPS shared that earlier this month, on April 10, Dr. Genevieve Floyd, Director of the Division of Career & Postsecondary Partnerships and Career Advising, welcomed 125 Business Management & Finance students from nine high schools. They came to cheer on and support 25 team members competing in the 2025 Business Pitch Challenge—a “Shark Tank”-style competition for entrepreneurship students. The winners are:
– First place ($500): Aleena Khan, Amy Li, Connor Bunting and Miles Hecklinger from Northwest High School for “Thoughtbox,” a stress-free gifting service with thoughtful personalization using AI that supports local artists. Teacher: Kristin Vick
– Second place ($300): Zyan Hawkins, Leule Lakew, Kaleb Theodores and Dominic LaCosta from Albert Einstein High School for “Retractable,” a professional sports ball that uses a boomerang system that easily comes back to the user at the push of a button. Teacher: Brenda Lopez
– Third place ($200): Jack Dawson, Dylan Dong and Ousmane Sarr from James Hubert Blake High School for “Nourish+,” a nutrition-focused company that empowers individuals on their fitness journeys through accessible, science-backed nutritional support. They also won the first-ever Student Choice Award. Teacher: Sandy Chaplin
Other participating schools included Gaithersburg High School, Kennedy High School, Paint Branch High School and Montgomery Blair High School. Students from Sherwood High School and Northwood High School attended as audience members.
Per MCPS: “The Business Pitch Challenge proved just how innovative and capable our high school students are,” said Vernelle Shaw, Instructional Specialist, Division of Career & Postsecondary Partnerships and Career Advising and Program Manager for the Business Management & Finance Programs of Study. “Each team brought phenomenal ideas to the table, showing a level of creativity, confidence and entrepreneurial spirit well beyond their years. I’d like to thank the Entrepreneurship teachers for supporting the students throughout this process.”
More here from MCPS.