The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce celebrated the culmination of the IGNITE Schuylkill Youth Program Thursday evening at the Veterans Community Memorial Hall in Orwigsburg.
The event showcased the entrepreneurial talent of local high school students as they competed for scholarship funding, startup capital, and business development support.
The IGNITE Schuylkill Youth Program, designed to foster entrepreneurship in Schuylkill County, provided participants with the chance to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. This year’s competition marked the culmination of a 16-week entrepreneurial course that allowed students to compete for a share of over $50,000 in prizes.
A Night of Innovation and Opportunity
The evening kicked off with Schuylkill Chamber President Bob Carl welcoming everyone and introducing Savas Logothetides of Wise Owl Consulting, who mentored and organized the competition. His guidance helped participants refine their business proposals and gain insights into the world of entrepreneurship.
After months of preparation, the students presented their ideas to a panel of judges, including:
- Dr. Cory Scherer – Penn State Schuylkill
- Jeff O'Neil – M&T Bank
- Christine Verdier – Office of Senate Dave Argall
- John Boyer – Boyer’s Food Markets
- Bill Metzinger – Metz Properties, LLC
- Cynthia Mensch – Alvernia University Pottsville Collegetowne
- Hannah Corbacio – HC Digital Agency
Each participant had 15 minutes to present their business proposal, during which they covered key aspects such as:
- Business offerings
- Expected expenses
- Revenue model
- Potential obstacles
- Funding requests from the competition
Following each presentation, the judges had the opportunity to ask additional questions to further assess each proposal and clarify any points of interest or concern.
Grand Prize Winners: Blissberry
The evening’s most coveted honor, the Grand Prize, was awarded to Blissberry, a joint venture led by Alex Warke and Delaney Burns, both seniors at Blue Mountain High School. The two aspiring entrepreneurs will each receive a $5,000 tuition award to help further their educational pursuits.
Alex, a standout student-athlete and future business leader, plans to double major in Accounting and Finance at Shippensburg University. Delaney, a scholar-athlete herself, has big aspirations in business, fueled by her family’s entrepreneurial background. Together, their business, Blissberry, aims to provide Schuylkill County with affordable, nutritious health food options.
While Blissberry took home the grand prize, every participant was recognized for their hard work and dedication:-
King’s Fitness, in Pottsville, founded by Keeshaun King of Pottsville Area, received $2,000 to pursue a Boxing Certification Program, further developing his hybrid gym concept that combines strength training and boxing.
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Market Yourself, led by Carson Farber from Tamaqua Area and Schuylkill Technology Center, was awarded $2,000 for expenses at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), along with a $10,000 tuition scholarship if he chooses to transfer to Alvernia University.
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It’s Not Just a Phase Salon, headed by Aiyana George from Pine Grove Area and Schuylkill Technology Center, earned a $3,000 scholarship to attend Empire Beauty School, helping her further her passion for cosmetology.
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Simone’s Café, in Schuylkill Haven, founded by Kira Nagle from Gillingham Charter School, received $5,000 for business certification and IGNITE Adult tuition to continue her entrepreneurial education.
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New York Deli, in Mahanoy City, operated by Ali Alolaki from Mahanoy Area and the Schuylkill Technology Center, was awarded $2,500 for the Alvernia O'Pake Institute for Business Consulting and $3,000 toward his food truck project. Additionally, he will receive tuition to the adult program of IGNITE Schuylkill when he graduates.
Empowering the Next Generation
Savas Logothetides, the organizer and mentor, expressed his pride in the students’ progress. “These young entrepreneurs are not only shaping their futures, but they are also contributing to the future growth of our community,” he said.
The IGNITE Schuylkill Youth Program, which is an EITC-approved initiative, has already begun to foster a new wave of business-minded youth in the area.
