A Seymour High School student has received first place in the regional competition for Maverick Challenge.
Alexus Morris of Seymour High School won for her pitch, No Borders.
Awarded second place for the opportunity to immediately impact his community and the best active prototype was Tanner Fox of Lawrenceburg High School (Dearborn County) with his pitch, Fox Wash.
The judges awarded the Judges’ Choice Award to Sam Law of Bloomington North (Monroe County) for his pitch, Backroads, for embodying the entrepreneurial spirit and high potential.
Nine students representing five southeastern Indiana counties pitched their business plans at The Maverick Challenge Regional Finals in the youth entrepreneurship initiative.
This year, the regional finals were held virtually via Zoom.
Coordinated and sponsored by the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, The Maverick Challenge is designed to give high school students hands-on experience in the practice of entrepreneurship, specifically launching a business. The online digital curriculum that teaches foundational business concepts and work with local mentors guides students as they take their ideas from a concept to a developed business plan.
This year, 300 students from Bartholomew, Dearborn, Franklin, Jackson, Monroe, and Scott counties participated in the program. Since its inception in 2008, thousands of students have participated, and more than $100,000 has been awarded.
Morris’ winning pitch was for a translation firm focused on hometown hospitality and bridging the gap between native and non-native speakers in our community.
Fox pitched an outdoor cleaning company that provides services such as home detailing, amenity detailing, and automotive detailing.
Law pitched an idea of a marketplace designed for the buying and selling of new and used street ware.
Regional finalists included:Green Breeze – Elizabeth Gigrich, Spencer Mack, &Emma Weberding – Oldenburg Academy, Franklin/Ripley counties, an air purifier disguised as a plant.
Highway Hippie – Sara Hockersmith, Sophia Myers, &Morgan Olson – Columbus East High School, allows plant lovers to take their plants on the go with their thermodynamic container, water alert system, and custom decorations.
Mobile Monkey – Breana McCowen – Homeschool, Scott County, a keychain that safely stores money and includes safety tools such as a window breaker and rape whistle.
