Entrepreneurship Thrives in District 214: A Story of Innovation and Success

Prospect High School students Molly Beyna, Lexi Kuzak, and Neve Pomis have made headlines with their innovative product, Shimmer Shield, a protective spray that keeps jewelry from tarnishing. The trio's success can be attributed to a PHS business class taught by Chad Froeschle, which equipped them with the skills to transform their concept into a real product. The girls' dedication and hard work paid off when they emerged as one of only five high school teams nationwide to present at the National INCubatoredu Pitch Competition, where they received $8,000 in funding. This achievement is a testament to District 214's commitment to providing students with real-world experiences that build essential skills for success.

Key Takeaways:

• Shimmer Shield, a protective spray for jewelry, was created by three Prospect High School students, Molly Beyna, Lexi Kuzak, and Neve Pomis, who participated in a PHS business class taught by Chad Froeschle.
• The students used the skills they learned in the class to transform their concept into a real product and presented it at the National INCubatoredu Pitch Competition, where they received $8,000 in funding.
• District 214 has been committed to providing students with real-world experiences for over a decade, equipping them with essential skills for success in an evolving economy.
• The INCubatoredu program, offered by Uncharted Learning, provides students with real-world business entrepreneurship education led by teachers and assisted by mentors and coaches from the community.
• The annual National INCubatoredu Pitch Competition has generated over $172,000 in awards to students, providing them with insight, guidance, and encouragement.
• The success of Shimmer Shield and the students behind it is a prime example of the impact of learning experiences and entrepreneurial opportunities embedded in coursework.
• Carson Froeschle praised the students for their dedication, hard work, and confidence, stating that they truly owned their pitch on the stage.

Statistics:

• The National INCubatoredu Pitch Competition has awarded over $172,000 to students in funding and recognition.
• Three Prospect High School students, Molly Beyna, Lexi Kuzak, and Neve Pomis, received $8,000 in funding for their product, Shimmer Shield.
• Over a decade, District 214 has been providing students with real-world experiences that build essential skills for success in an evolving economy.
• The INCubatoredu program, offered by Uncharted Learning, has been working with educators, entrepreneurs, and community experts to support students in developing their entrepreneurial skills.
• The annual National INCubatoredu Pitch Competition has been running for 12 years, providing a platform for students to showcase their innovative ideas and receive recognition and funding.

Sources:

• "Prospect High School students Molly Beyna, Lexi Kuzak, and Neve Pomis" [no date]
• "District 214 Entrepreneurship thrives on ideas, innovation, problem-solving and, sometimes, getting the right ideas in front of the right people" [no date]
• "For over a decade, District 214 has been committed to providing students with real-world experiences that build the essential skills needed for success in an evolving economy,â said Dr. Lázaro López, executive director of Education Foundation & Career Pathways" [no date]
• "The INCubatoredu program, offered by Uncharted Learning, which offers to schools its INCubatoredu program, designed to engage students in real-world business entrepreneurship education led by teachers and assisted by mentors and coaches from the community" [no date]
• "Uncharted Learning was formed by entrepreneurs who designed INCubatoredu after studying business incubators and programs aimed at fostering soft skills in education" [no date]