D214 entrepreneurs inspire in Startup Showcase

"Wow! High school students just did that! I couldn't have done that in high school!"

"Remarkable! It was the best year ever!"

These are just a few of the quotes we heard from the panel of judges for District 214's Startup Showcase, the annual event highlighting the work of students in D214's Entrepreneurship Program.

District 214's Entrepreneurship program engages students in the everyday business of creating ideas and building companies. Launched in all six of the district's comprehensive high schools, it relies on the expertise of local partners with professional roots in a variety of areas - from marketing and branding to finance and business development - who co-teach alongside District 214 teachers to deliver relevant entrepreneurship education. Working in teams as they would in a real business setting, students solve problems and develop solutions.

Startup Showcase is the culmination of a year of critical thinking, collaboration and inspiration. Groups pitch their ideas to judges for a shot at a financial award to further their postsecondary plans. Six teams of entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to an expert panel of judges for the chance to win $2,500 for their team and a free internship experience, all made possible with the financial support of the District 214 Education Foundation.

Congratulations to all of this year's teams for being selected to participate and a special shout out to the winning team from Rolling Meadows:

Wheeling High School: CoKid Masks: Sarah Ruschke

Prospect High School: FittX: Jack Doyle, Annika Erickson, Pierce Finnerty, Max Halpern, Cole Lannert and Paige Runkle

Elk Grove High School: Lean Layout: Taylor Schulz, Elizabeth Wirtz and Gabriel Trejo

John Hersey High School: Shady Tek: Lauren Bayer, Lauren Birch and Mary Cummings

Rolling Meadows High School: Nightscape: Jack Chaney, Shizuki Hara, Gage Lockley and Lukas Paisley

Buffalo Grove High: School Clog Cop: Allison Finn, Melissa Diaz, Alexandra Oteana and Christine Yuan

A special thank you, also, to our teachers, coaches and mentors, sponsors, and judges. Startup Showcase would not be possible without you!

If you are interested in getting involved in the Entrepreneurship Program or other Career Pathway experiences, please contact the District 214 Partnership Manager Kathy Wicks, kathy.wicks@d214.org or (847) 718-7483.