A pen that helps people with dyslexia, a basketball that helps athletes who can’t afford expensive trainers and a brush that detects and treats unhealthy hair ‒ these were the product concepts that made the finals in a Shark Tank-style competition for 4th grade students, hosted by Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada and local businesses.
The annual event, Lunchboxes & Learning: Swimming with the Big Fish, presented by The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, was an opportunity for local Nevada Rise Academy students to win $13,700 in scholarship funding for the best new business start-up concepts. The young entrepreneurs recently presented to a panel of local judges from the business community, with an audience of business professionals and community leaders also voting for their picks via their smartphones.
“We were very impressed with how all the teams ‒ the three finalists and the seven other competitors ‒ brought their ideas to life, and their creativity and thinking about the different marketing aspects that come into play,” said Michelle Jackson, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, the nonprofit that provides financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness programs for K-12 students. “We congratulate all of them and look forward to seeing the development of their concepts, where applicable, and the growth of their entrepreneurial spirit.”
The Desl Pen team won first place for its pen that helps people who are dyslexic read and people who want to read in their own language or learn a new language. The team’s name comes from the first letter of its members’ first names: Daisy N., Esmeralda R., Skylar P., and Leia W. The team will split the $8,000 prize money.
The KO Ball team placed second for its concept of a basketball that trains athletes who can’t afford expensive trainers or coaches. Team members Cooper B., Cameron S., and Katalina V. will split the second-place prize of $4,200.
Coming in third, the SmartBrush team was recognized for concepting a brush that detects and treats unhealthy and delicate hair. Team members Nina A., Kianna J., Kaylee O., and Marjaylah P. will split the $1,500 third-place prize money.
The judging panel included: Colleen Birch, Junior Achievement past board chairperson and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas senior vice president of revenue optimization; Tim Cashman, The Cashman Companies president; Michael Crome, Las Vegas Raiders chief financial officer; and Denette Suddeth, PNC regional president for Nevada and event committee chair.
In addition to the presentations, information was shared about Junior Achievement’s needed age-appropriate financial education programs and how area businesses can get involved to help the nonprofit organization through partnership, donations, sponsorship and volunteerism. Business and community involvement is critical, as schools often lack the resources to provide financial education curriculum, which can help students become financially secure adults, breaking the cycle of generational and situational poverty.
Michael Crome, Las Vegas Raiders chief financial officer, delivered the keynote address. He was involved with Junior Achievement in his youth and shared how it impacted and motivated him to his current position.
“Junior Achievement opened the door for me to learn more about my future career. The volunteer who taught in my classroom inspired me with the insight about his career as an accountant. That interaction helped me to find my way into the world of finance, where I work today,” Crome said.
Swimming with the Big Fish provides students with the necessary tools to create a business from the ground up and complements Junior Achievement’s JA: It’s My Business! financial literacy programming. Junior Achievement staff guided students throughout the six-week process. Students were separated into 10 teams based on interest in apps, food and beverage, clothing and accessories, technology, and animals. They subsequently developed their idea for a business beneficial to the community and created their business and marketing plans as a team.
“As a National Main Street bank, PNC is committed to looking out for the unique priorities and needs of the communities in which we operate; and for us, being deeply involved with Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada reflects this commitment,” said Suddeth. “With the Swimming with the Big Fish program, we are building the next generation of entrepreneurs, while also making sure children have the tools and skills they need to continue moving forward financially, which is also a PNC commitment. These young entrepreneurs have shown us the future is bright, and PNC is thrilled to support them.”
Other product concepts from Nevada Rise Academy student teams included:
- An app helping the deaf and hard of hearing community communicate;
- A water bottle helping people stay healthy and reminding them to take vitamins and medication;
- A game controller providing the blind and visually impaired with a gaming experience;
- A robotic cleaning service;
- A walking stick helping people see;
- A sensory mood ball providing people with strategies to work through emotions; and
- A remote control car that can explore underwater.
Nevada Rise Academy is a tuition-free public charter school that focuses on rigorous academics, high-quality instruction, and intentional character development to place K-5 students on a college path and ensures students’ access to life’s fullest opportunities.
In addition to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, event sponsors included: PNC Bank, Alumni Spotlight; City National Bank, Las Vegas Raiders, RSM US LLPS, Southwest Airlines and The PENTA Building Group, When I Grow Up; Las Vegas Review Journal, The Investment Council Company and Toyota Financial Savings Bank, Shareholder; and Bank of Nevada, CSAA, KPMG and Southwest Gas, Future Investor.
“We’re so appreciative of our wonderful sponsors, judges and other partners for continuing to support and adapt with us and allow students to dream big and provide a pathway to them for future success,” said Jackson. “Through initiatives like Swimming with the Big Fish, we also hope to boost graduation rates by giving students a business idea, the means and pathway to look forward to after high school.”
About Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada
Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, Inc. is dedicated to providing financial education to K-12 students with age-appropriate virtual and live curriculum that spans from budget management to economic principals, workforce skills and credit. Founded locally in 1996, the local nonprofit organization has reached more than 450,000 students in the Las Vegas area with the help of 285 businesses and 6,800 business role models. For more information, visit https://jasnv.org/ and follow on Instagram and Facebook.
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