Round Lake High business students make their pitches

Teams of Round Lake High School students competed for seed money Tuesday to help launch business proposals they created this year in a new course that aims to boost entrepreneurship.

"We've really seen a crescendo from the kids to this moment. The kind of improvement I've seen over the last six months has been unbelievable," said Mike Baird, Round Lake High School math and business chairman. "They're really busting their tails for tonight."

It was the first Incubator Pitch Night at the high school's theater, where teams vied for the $2,500 in funding.

Among the teems taking part were Adent Marketing, True Passage, AutoMeds and Performance Extremity.

Officials said the evening was made possible through a $29 million renovation and expansion of Round Lake High that debuted at the start of the school year. One of the revamped building's highlights is the business incubator, which is visible from the main entrance.

Round Lake High students have been collaborating this year on teams or businesses, alongside coaches or mentors from the community, to develop product and services.

Officials say the program is helping students gain the skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs.