St. Pete Catalyst; Published By: Mark Parker
High school students from Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties highlighted their ambitious business ideas to local educational and corporate leaders Wednesday at the inaugural Innovators Showcase.
Junior Achievement Tampa Bay, a nonprofit that prepares students for economic success, organized the event. The recently created Innovators Showcase, held at Raymond James’ Carillon campus, featured 3DE students from Dunedin, Chamberlain, Hillsborough and St. Petersburg High Schools.
Patrick O’Connor, senior vice president for Raymond James, announced the Take Care team from Dunedin High was the first Innovation Showcase champion. Co-founder Arlen Martinez shrieked with joy before becoming overwhelmed with emotion.
“The fact that this is a school project connected to that kind of outburst and emotion is just like – this is what it’s all about,” said O’Connor after the event. “It’s creating this connection that these kids want to succeed; they want to compete.” Read more
