Four teams of high school students from across the School District entered a ‘Shark Tank’-style competition Sunday and emerged victorious, earning money from local investor/mentors for their community service projects.
The teams made the finals from among 50 applications submitted from students vying for their part of a $100,000 purse in the Palm Beach Philanthropic Tank competition.
According to their website, the Tank is part of Advisors for Philanthropic Impact, a nonprofit organization of professional philanthropic advisors working to educate, support and inspire, while increasing awareness within Palm Beach County’s philanthropic community. API advisors serve as Palm Beach Philanthropy Tank coaches, mentoring and supporting finalists during the critical prep period in advance of the Palm Beach Philanthropy Tank Live Event.
Students from School District teams that won grants include:
SURFACE 71
Team: Jemma Currie, Angeli Romero and Emily Briceno
Schools: Forest Hill High School, Conniston Middle School, Suncoast High School
Pitch: Reduce plastic use, improve marine habitats, educate and promote awareness about our environment.
Amount Awarded: $12,000
UNIFORMITY
Team: Guadalupe Alcala-Garcia, Yalissa Baltazar and Mya Rodriguez
Schools: Glades Central Community High School, Lake Shore Middle School, Glades Day School
Pitch: Assist Western Palm Beach County students in need to obtain uniforms mid-year so they can focus on academics and not their appearance.
Amount Awarded: $7,000
AQUAPONICS EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT
Team: Tess Flemma and John Schuttler
School: Boca Raton High School
Pitch: Construct two more outdoor aquaponics systems at a middle and elementary school to promote sustainable farming and donate produce to organizations in need.
Amount Awarded: $15,000
FIND THE KEYS MUSIC PROGRAM
Team: Sophia Zheng and Hayley Huber (Shown in photo)
School: A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts
Pitch: Offer free music camps, lessons and instruments to underprivileged and musically ambitious students throughout the year.
Amount Awarded: $15,000
