High School Students Take Home Prizes After Being Thrown to the Wolves
JONESBORO – Students from area high schools brought their best ideas and product pitches to the Thrown to Wolves competition this week at Arkansas State University.“The business ideas pitched by our teams this year were outstanding,” said Andrea Allen, executive director of the Delta Center for Economic Development.In this competition, students from the six participating schools submitted business plans ahead of the competition that they pitched live, “Shark Tank”-style, before the judges. Just like in the television program, the junior entrepreneurs had to answer questions about why their product was both necessary and why they should be chosen.“I am inspired by the ingenuity of our competing high school teams, and I enjoyed watching them receive feedback from the judges who are seasoned entrepreneurs. The sky is the limit for these students, and I can’t wait to read about their successes in the future,” added Allen. A three-person team from Buffalo Island Central (BIC) took home first place with a sensory board prototype with changeable elements to create customizable boards for individuals in assisted living. Team members include Leo Thompson, Aiden Nance and Cason Kifer.Second-place winner Jersie Cunningham of Walnut Ridge High School (WRHS) presented his brand, Sloughboys. His is a hat and clothing line that represents duck hunting fans in the state, bringing attention to the South as the most popular duck hunting destination of the U.S.Third-place winners Lexi Jarrett, Bo Cook and Mali Wallis of Cross County High School (CCHS) showcased their product, the Button Buddy. This is a device that helps those with limited mobility button and unbutton their clothing.Quentin Gantt and Jamarriah Williams of Jonesboro High School (JHS) won the award for the crowd favorite, also known as the Pack Pick, with their tutoring and school app that incorporates biblical scriptures to engage children with curriculum learning.Students winning first, second and third place prizes received a $500 scholarship for each member of the team, free workspace and a one-year membership to A-State Innovate.The team from BIC also took home a $1,000 team prize, $1,000 for their school sponsor's classroom, and a marketing package from the Solutions Group. The second-place winner and school sponsor's classroom from WRHS each won $500. CCHS team members won $150 with an additional $150 for their school sponsor's classroom.JHS team members won $250, free workspace and a one-year membership to A-State Innovate.
A-State’s Howl and Scarlet are joined by judges and winners from Buffalo Island Central (from left):
Manu Nair, judge; Chad Niell, judge; Kristi Pulliam, judge; Cason Kifer; Leo Thompson;and Aiden Nance.
A-State’s Howl and Scarlet are joined by judges and the winner from Walnut Ridge High School (from left):
Manu Nair, judge; Jersie Cunningham; Chad Niell, judge; and Kristi Pulliam, judge.
A-State’s Howl and Scarlet are joined by judges and winners from Cross County High School (from left):
Manu Nair, judge; Bo Cook; Lexi Jarrett; Mali Wallis; Chad Niell, judge; and Kristi Pulliam, judge.
A-State’s Howl and Scarlet are joined by judges and winners from Jonesboro High School (from left):
Manu Nair, judge; Quentin Gantt; Jamarriah Williams; Chad Niell, judge; and Kristi Pulliam, judge.
