L.O.V.E. 1st Place Winners
On March 3, 2017 JA of Western MA held its 3rd annual JA EnTEENpreneur Challenge hosted by the UMASS Springfield Center. Over 20 teams of future entrepreneurs will compete in a 2-minute Pitch Contest and Trade Fair Competition. Students from Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, Chestnut South Middle School, Duggan School, Chicopee High, and Pathfinder Vocational as well as two JA Afterschool programs competed. The students were part of the JA Blended Company Program, which is designed to unlock the innate ability in students to solve a problem or fill a need in their community through an entrepreneurial spirit. The JA Company Programs are sponsored by The Hartford and their JA Company Program Communities with Hart Incentive Grant.
The middle grade students completed JA It’s My Business and participated in the Trade Fair as well as the Pitch Contest.
The event was sponsored by local businesses and colleges. Smith & Wesson was the Awards Sponsor and Savage Arms was the Trade Fair Sponsor. Elms College’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership sponsored a Pitch Camp at the college on Feb. 17 for all the students. Papa John’s donated the lunch and Panera in Chicopee donated dessert. Other sponsors include Country Bank, Easthampton Savings Bank, Environmental Risk Advisors, Tech Roofing, Joecreative.inc, Palmer Paving, Environmental Risk Advisors, LLC, Hogan Technologies, The Republican/Mass Live, Get Set Marketing, Burgess, Schultz & Robb, P.C., and Adam Quenneville.
The teams participated in a Trade Fair in Tower Square then listened to an inspirational talk by Ryan Kelly, creator and owner of Ry’s Ruffery. Ryan competed on Shark Tank, Season Four and Season 4. At just 11 years old, he struck a deal with Barbara Cocoran for $25,000 for 25 percent of the business. Ryan bakes and sells all-natural dog treats that pet owners love to give as much as their furry friends love to devour them.
Teams competed for cash prizes, trophies and medals. First prize is $500, second prize is $350 and third prize is $250.
The team L.O.V.E. from Putnam Vocational won first place for its anti-bullying t-shirts.Members of team L.O.V.E are:
- Jessica Goodrich
- Jeremy Belanger
- Julio Colon
- Justen Otero
- Mel’quan O’Neal
Other winners:
- Cassidy Snopek of Chicopee high School won for Waterwick, a waterproof line of sports clothing.
- Pacer Popcorn Pizza Co. from Chicopee High School won third place. That team is made up of Ansel Kufta and Evan Garber.
- Tiger Dreams clothing from Putnam was the most innovative, according to judges.
- Raise the Pooch Foundation of Pathfinder Vocational won Best Trade Fair Boot.
Best Trade Fair Booth Raise the Pooch Foundation
Thomas LaMondia, Retail and Finance teacher at Putnam Vocational said, “My students were so excited to participate in this event. I have some budding entrepreneurs who are ready to take their product ideas to the next step. As a teacher I am thrilled to see them so enthusiastic and engaged in this learning experience.” Middle Grades JA It’s My Business Competition winners were:
- First Place- I A (Identification Animal) Chestnut South Middle School
- Second Place -Architects of Spirit – Duggan Academy
- Third Place- Pillow Heels- Chestnut South Middle School