Brookfield Students Present Business Ideas at ‘Shark Tank’

BROOKFIELD, Ohio — Brookfield High School students showed off their creativity at a live Shark Tank-like event May 15 at the high school.

Students presented ideas they developed over a five-day incubation process. Sophomore Katie Gibson captured first place for her idea of accessories for jewelry. She won $300 in mall gift cards, while $200, $100 and $75 in gift cards were given to second, third and fourth-place finishers.

Freshmen Olivia Simon and Charles Nicholson took second and fourth place, respectively, and sophomore Mario Furillo took third.

Youngstown Score Chairman Ron Emery and A.J. Bove, business development analyst for ITEN Industries and co-founder of Odorex Athletix, presented their ideas for entrepreneurship in April to students at Brookfield High School. Bove, Emery, Brookfield High School principal Kristen Foster and Adam Lewis, director of teaching, learning and accountability for Brookfield Local Schools, were the judges for the contest.

“Judging was based on criteria of identifying elements of a business plan as well as overall presentation,” Bove says.

Ideas such as a courtyard to get fresh air and letting students de-stress, along with electric-power trucks were presented.

“All of them felt empowered to put a plan together to make this stuff happen,” Emery says. “All the projects are moving forward in some state of incubation. I think it’s a testament to the superintendent and leadership staff of Brookfield to make some interesting decisions.”

Pictured: On hand for the Shark Tank event at Brookfield High School were A.J. Bove; sophomore Mario Furillo, who took third place; first-place winner Katie Gibson, sophomore; second-place winner Olivia Simon, freshman; fourth-place winner Charles Nicholson, freshman, and Ron Emery. (Image: Brookfield High School)

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