Lely High School students Katharine Spina, Crew Dupes and Guilline “Kiki” Andre were named K is for Kids Young Entrepreneurs of 2018.
News Release: For Immediate Release, May 30, 2018
By: Abigail Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University, K is for Kids Intern
Media Contact: Karen D. Clawson, K is for Kids Founder and Executive Director, 239-596-KIDS(5437), karen@kisforkids.org
NAPLES —
Three Lely High School students are winners of a scholarship with their start-up business idea to help combat opioid overdose. Katharine Spina, Crew Dupes and Guilline “Kiki” Andre were named K is for Kids Young Entrepreneurs 2018 and earned a total of $1,000 in scholarship funds. Their start-up business idea Protec-Pills offers a simple and easy-to-use product that can help prevent opioid overdose.
Lely High School students Crew Dupes, Katharine Spina and Guilline Andre won 1st place and a $1,000 scholarship for their company Protec-Pills at the 5th Annual K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition held May 12th at Barron Collier High School. The 11th grade students were named K is for Kids Young Entrepreneurs 2018. (Photo by: Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
Students across Collier County targeted real-world issues and offered solutions. The students developed their business plans all year, and teachers nominated their top teams for the competition. Judges chose four teams out of nine semifinalists to advance to the final round of live presentations.
“I want to tell you about these students and their dreams,” said Judge Sammy Callari, a personal trainer and fitness entrepreneur, in a post via his Facebook page. “For them, it wasn’t about making money. It wasn’t about trying to be cool in the eyes of their peers. It was about being passionate in the pursuit of wanting to see the world a better place.”
Katharine Spina, a Lely High School student and CEO of Protec-pills, shows the judges a prototype of its product at the 5th Annual K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition. The event was held on May 12th at Barron Collier High School. Judges (l-r) were Laurie Montes, Gary Indianer, Sammy Callari, David Fralick and Naples Mayor Bill Barnett. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
The winning team explored the growing opioid addiction in America and sought to “Put Control on Controlled Substances.” Through research, they identified that opioid overdoses dramatically increased by 30% between July 2016 and September 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The team questioned the real “control” of these controlled substances after leaving the pharmacy and sought a solution that really worked. This inspired them to develop a unique pill dispenser to help combat the easy accessibility.
Finalists Katharine Spina, Crew Dupes, Guilline “Kiki” Andre of Lely High School pitch Protec-Pills the 5th Annual K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition. The YES Comp, as it is popularly called, was held on May 12th at Barron Collier High School. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
[Editor’s note: The winning young entreprepeurs were also featured on ABC-7 News’ Positively Southwest Florida segment with Krista Fogelsong http://www.abc-7.com/story/38356565/students-tackle-opioid-addiction-win-k-is-for-kids-scholarship-competition]
At center, K is for Kids Young Entrepreneurs 2018 Crew Dupes, Katharine Spina, and Guilline “Kiki” Andre from Lely High School stand with (l-r) Karen D. Clawson, K is for Kids Founder and Executive Director; Gary Indianer, Owner and CEO, Intra-Agent Services and Aplus Financial Group; David Fralick, City of Naples Communication and Video Production Manager; Naples Mayor Bill Burnett; Laurie Montes, Mortgage Advisor at American Eagle Mortgage Co.; and Sammy Callari, Personal Trainer and Fitness Entrepreneur. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
Runner-up Smart Brights from Gulf Coast High School at K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition 2018. Connor Ossorio, Ian Durkin, Cyenna Spiess, Masa Tubic and Brandon Jonas. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
Second place winners were from Gulf Coast High School.Cyenna Spiess, Connor Ossorio, Masa Tubic, Ian Durkin and Brandon Jonas, presented their invention, Smart Brights. Recognizing the difficulty in determining how fast and hard a semi-truck is braking, Smart Brights offers the first pressure sensitive brake light. The students were awarded a $500 scholarship.
Gulf Coast High School students present Smart Brights at the K is for Kids Scholarship Competition on May 12th: Cyenna Spiess, Ian Durkin, Connor Ossorio, Masa Tubic, and Brandon Jonas. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
Alexandra Tomodan, a junior student at Barron Collier High School, placed third with DBG (Dance Baton Guard Academy) at the 5th Annual K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition on May 12th. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
In third place, Alexandra Tomodan of Dance Baton Guard Academy helped launch the company to inspire young individuals to “work hard and perform better.” DBG offers coaching lessons, teaches advanced skills, and encourages the acquisition of a new hobby. Alexandra was awarded $250.
Barron Collier High School junior student Alexandra Tomodan presents DBG Academy at the 5th Annual K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition 2018. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
Lely High School student Etgard Branchedor took fourth place for his business Safe and Sound at the 5th Annual K is for Kids YES Comp. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
Etgard Branchedor was awarded fourth place and receiving $125. Branchedor provided a revolutionary idea Safe and Sound to alleviate the noise of weights retracting, improving the gym experience by reducing the overall decibel rating.
Lely High School student Etgard Branchedor pitches Safe and Sound at the 5th Annual K is for Kids YES Comp. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
“The criteria we used to determine a winner,” said judge and Naples Mayor Bill Barnett, “was of course the product and, equally important, the way it was presented. Also, in the mix was if the product was truly marketable and how much of the general population could end up using this product. ‘Protec-Pills’ met the criteria…and although it could be expensive to market, it was certainly unique enough to be able to see its full potential.”
Judges at the 5th Annual K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition 2018: Laurie Montes, Mortgage Boker, American Eagle Mortgage Co.; Gary Indianer, Owner and CEO, Intra-Agent Services and Aplus Financial Group; Sammy Callari, Personal Trainer and Fitness Entrepreneur; David Fralick, Communications and Television Manager, City of Naples; and Naples Mayor Bill Barnett. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
The other three judges for the competition were Gary Indianer, financial advisor; David Fralick, the public information office and television manager for the City of Naples; and Laurie Montes, a mortgage advisor for American Eagle Mortgage Co. The panel evaluated whether finalists presented a viable business plan, preparation for launch, and an execution plan including a clear issue, feasible solution, opportunity for growth, achievable milestones, and sales strategies. The contenders were also scored on their presentation professionalism, visual aids, clarity and creativity.
Finalists at the 5th Annual K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition 2018 held on May 12th at Barron Collier High School in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
The competition was made possible by grant funding from Arthrex, with support from the Migeot family and Peter Benjamin.
K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition was created in 2014 by Karen D. Clawson, founder and executive director of the foundation, and her son Patrick Clawson Jr. (currently a senior student at the University of Florida), with other student leaders to spark excitement for innovation and community involvement among high school students.
Hosts, judges and founder gather at the K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition 2018: Kelly Wilson, Business Teacher, Barron Collier High School; Sammy Callari, Personal Trainer and Fitness Entrepreneur; Jose Hernandez, Principal, Barron Collier High School; Laurie Montes, Mortgage Advisor, American Eagle Mortgage Co.; Naples Mayor Bill Barnett; Gary Indianer, Owner & CEO, Intra-Agent Services and Aplus Financial Group; Karen D. Clawson, Founder and Executive Director, K is for Kids Foundation. (Photo by Abby Villagomez/Florida Gulf Coast University)
Sammy summed up the vision and heartbeat of the competition, “If we keep encouraging and supporting the kids to believe in themselves, build each other up and work hard towards chasing their dreams, we will all benefit in the future. We just have to invest and sow seeds of positivity into them.”
About K is for Kids: A unique student driven, volunteer-based nonprofit 501(c)3 organization building readers and leaders, K is for Kids Foundation utilizes a mentorship program to promote youth leadership and develop students’ skills through literacy initiatives. With focused efforts, K is for Kids helps cultivate the skills kids need to be creative thinkers, adventurous problem solvers and visionary leaders. Reading and dreaming, learning and leading, creating and achieving: That’s K is for Kids!
To learn more, visit www.kisforkids.org or call 239-596-KIDS(5437).
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More photos at the YES Comp
Fourth place winner Etgard Branchedor is congratulated by Naples Mayor Bill Barnett at the K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition held on May 12th at Barron Collier High School. (Photo by Karen Clawson)
Gulf Coast High School students Cyenna Spiess, Ian Durkin, Connor Ossorio, Masa Tubic, and Brandon Jonas present Smart Brights at the K is for Kids YES Comp held on May 12th at Barron Collier High School. (Photo by Karen Clawson)
Barron Collier High School student Alexandra Tomodan reviews projected growth for DBG at the K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition on May 12th. (Photo by Karen Clawson)
Check out K is for Kids Young Entrepreneurs 2018 in the July issue of Southwest Florida Parent & Child, too! We thank Editor Pamela Hayford and SWFL P&C for featuring these students’ story.
Previous winners of K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition
To see former winners of the K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition, click on the links below:
4th Annual K is for Kids YES Comp 2017 http://www.kisforkids.org/news/bcsn-wins-k-is-for-kids-4th-annual-yes-comp/
Young Entrepreneurs 2017 Vishvak Venkatesan and Noah Mulholland, present BCSN at the 4th Annual YES Comp on May 6, 2017.
3rd Annual K is for Kids YES Comp 2016 http://www.kisforkids.org/news/the-yes-comp-2016/
Young Entrepreneur 2016 Gabriella Manuszak with Dr. Gene Landrum, Founder of Chucky Cheese, Author, and Professor Emeritus at Hodges University; Karen D. Clawson, Founder and Executive Director, K is for Kids Foundation; Tiffany McQuaid of McQuad Real Estate Company; and Ed Larsen, President, Sales Synergies, LLC.
2nd Annual K is for Kids YES Comp 2015
K is for Kids Young Entrepreneurs 2015 Tyler Schult and Hadrien Roy, with Craig Bouchard, international entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author.
Inaugural K is for Kids YES Comp 2014
Craig Bouchard, international entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author announces K is for Kids Young Entrepreneur 2014 Nicholas (Nick) Nolan.
Note: Winners were announced by Craig Bouchard, entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and keynote speaker at K is for Kids From the Heart Teen Fashion Show 2014.