Croton-Harmon High School Student Entrepreneurs and Future Titans of the Helping Industry Bring Innovative Ideas and Business Acumen to Washington DC
 

Six Croton-Harmon High School students earned the extraordinary experience to showcase their innovative business ideas in Washington DC to a panel that included Members of Congress and business leaders at the Junior Achievement National Student Summit on June 9-13. The students were selected to participate in the national competition through the Junior Achievement (JA) Be Entrepreneurial program which provides a school-based curriculum approach to core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Representing CHHS and Junior Achievement of New York (JANY), the two student teams competed against other teams from across the country. 

At the heart of these bright minds, and both their companies, is a desire to meet a business need that meets the needs of others. Breaking barriers in communication is the mission of Sign Lens - the brainchild of Wyatt Pierre, Connor McNamara, Declan Caufield and Thomas Kelley.  Their company aims to make life easier for the deaf community by providing accessible and affordable translation solutions. The students came well-prepared to the competition, demonstrating 21st-century skills and entrepreneurial thinking during each competition element. 

Intellect Inc., consisting of Croton students Aidan Toretta, Abigail Gallagher, and Leire Chacha, presented an idea that would harness the power of AI to revolutionize learning and promote success in all students. Based on the understanding of differentiated learning styles, their AI- powered tutoring program would create personalized study guides to fit the unique needs of each student. Team Intellect Inc.’s groundbreaking idea earned them the Johnson & Johnson STEM Innovation Award for recognition of a student company that leverages science, technology, engineering, and math for positive community impact. “We were thrilled to see the students shine in D.C,” said Diana Lee, JANY Senior Director, Special Projects. “Our whole team was impressed by both presentations.” 

Aidan Toretta and Abigail Gallagher accepted the Johnson & Johnson STEM Innovation award at a dinner ceremony in Washington, DC. CHHS math teacher Andrew Vogl, a steward of the program with Kurt Lindner, was also in attendance.  

“A huge thank you to the educators, Kurt Lindner and Andrew Vogl, for partnering with Junior Achievement of New York and running the JA Be Entrepreneurial program with their classes this spring, ” said Caroline Tzelios, JANY Programs Senior Manager. “And to all the PTA volunteers who helped bring the students’ visions to life.”