06/09/2026
We were honored to be invited to participate in a Shark Tank-style business competition at Paramount High School, where students had the opportunity to showcase innovative business ideas and, in some cases, businesses they had already launched. The event gave aspiring young entrepreneurs a platform to pitch their concepts, demonstrate their business knowledge, and receive valuable feedback from professionals with real-world experience.
Serving as two of the event's judges, Josh Rincon, our Program Director, and George Sevilla from Citizens Business Bank, listened to student presentations, asked thoughtful questions, and evaluated each business idea based on creativity, feasibility, and growth potential. The competition challenged students to strengthen their presentation skills, refine their business models, and think critically about what it takes to build and sustain a successful venture.
The event concluded with an exciting investment in student entrepreneurship. Students initially competed for a $500 prize, but the award grew when one of the judges generously contributed an additional $500 on behalf of their organization, bringing the total prize to $1,000 for the winning student entrepreneur. This funding will help support the launch or growth of their business idea, turning classroom learning into real-world opportunity. We are grateful to Jessica Tereth, Entrepreneurship Teacher at Paramount High School, for organizing this impactful event and creating a meaningful experience that inspired and empowered the next generation of business leaders.