Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 3-12-19

Feature
2019 Teen Business Challenge Face Off
BY STUDENTS AT BIBLE TRUTH MIN- ISTRIES ACADEMY
Computer Mentors is a Technology Training Com- pany with interest in teach- ing youth how to create apps and implement a business plan. Hence, the “Teen Busi- ness Challenge.”
Since apps are based on a business idea, students took the opportunity to capitalize on it.
In recruiting, a team from the technology company vis- ited schools and introduced them to their program with the objective to engage par- ticipants. The application process is a simple one: Each applicant completed and submitted an online applica- tion along with a video or one paragraph essay stating the reason for their interest.
The 2019 Face Off was the 5th Challenge held on Fri- day, February 22nd - Sunday 24th at the Museum of Sci-
Ralph Smith, right, founder of Computer Mentors, is shown with the Face Off Challenge winning team members, from left: Lance Wright, Kyron DeFreitas, Tobin Mathew, Nicolas Villanueva and Meghana Nelluri. Each student received a laptop computer. (Photograph by the students)
would want to see more of this type of event,” she added.
Each of the four teams was given 20 minutes of which to present and re- spond to all questions posed. The winning team presented a business idea and app called, “Drive Kloud.” This app will alleviate the stress of traveling with several driving documents, but rather hav- ing all in one app when pulled over by a police offi- cer. The product saw them receiving a Microsoft Service Pro, medals and tickets to MOSI.
Moving forward the win- ning team has an opportu- nity to take the business plan further with The Wave. The Wave will then evaluate their viability.
When asked about the challenges faced throughout the competition, one mem- ber of the winning team re- sponded by saying, “getting up there, presenting and speaking publicly, since some members lack experi- ence.”
The most difficult stage for the team was “The Pitch” - this was the make or break deal.
Although this was just an- other competition for some, others will use it as an oppor- tunity to excel in a business career.
ence and Industry (MOSI), Tampa. The three days’ chal- lenge was sponsored by Con- nectWise and Citi. The Competition was divided into four rounds: The Citi Big Idea, The Citi Biz Model, which includes concept mod- eling and product modeling;
and “The Pitch,” being the final challenge.
Mr. Ralph Smith, founder of the organization, describes the event as, “Phe- nomenal.” The participants are between the ages of 14- 18. One of the goals of the challenge is to provide expo-
sure through diversity, while developing team work and presentation skills, which are essential to the success of any business. Each year, the event gets better as there are new and improved ideas among competitors and or- ganizers with the goal to im- prove and challenge the teams more than the last competition.
Mr. Smith commended the teams for their superb execution and particularly “the Blue team,” who won all four challenges - the first in the history of the event.
“The confidence demon- strated was very impressive,” commented a member of one of the sponsoring entities. “I
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2019