Students advance in Pitch Challenge

Editor's note: The Regional Incubator for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, a joint program of the Greater Sandusky Partnership and the Huron County Growth Partnership, supports small business owners and entrepreneurs in Erie and Huron counties. NORWALK — Thirty-five students from Erie and Huron County schools presented 21 original business ideas during the Erie and Huron County qualifier of the 2026 RISE Regional Youth Pitch Challenge on Tuesday, March 3 at Norwalk High School. Students delivered 90-second "Shark Tank–style" pitches outlining business ideas they developed through classroom learning and preparation with teachers and program partners. The event was organized by the Greater Sandusky Partnership and Huron County Growth Partnership, with support from North Point Educational Service Center. Following judging, 11 pitches advanced to the regional finals, which will occur at 10 a.m. this Thursday at BGSU Firelands, where they will compete alongside finalists from Sandusky and Ottawa County schools. Approximately 15 pitches are expected to be presented at the finals. Participating schools in the Erie and Huron qualifier included Sandusky High School, St. Mary's Central Catholic, Huron High School, Perkins High School, Edison High School, Margaretta High School and Western Reserve High School. This is the fourth year of the RISE Regional Youth Pitch Challenge, and it's been exciting to watch the program grow from just one school participating to a four-county-wide program. Students are developing real business ideas while building important skills like critical thinking, public speaking and taking initiative that will serve them well in any career path. "This event gives students an opportunity to apply what they're learning in the classroom and think creatively about solving problems through entrepreneurship," said Troy Parks, Huron County Growth Partnership. "We're grateful for the teachers, schools, and partners who help make this experience possible for students across our region." The RISE Regional Youth Pitch Challenge encourages entrepreneurial thinking among high school students by giving them the opportunity to develop and present business ideas in a competitive setting. During the qualifier event, students also heard from local entrepreneur Joshua Ott, owner of CW Mechanical and Plumbing, who shared his experience building a business. Judges for the event included Kula Hoty-Lynch, corporate counsel for Hoty Enterprises, Inc.; Cassidy Haas from VacationLand Federal Credit Union; and Ott. Pitches were evaluated on quality, creativity, and persuasiveness. Erie and Huron County finalists advancing to the March 12 regional competition are listed here, along with the title of their pitches: • Angel Limon, Huron High School: DryVanta • Mason Kromer, Margaretta High School: Pivot • Brody McFadden, Chaz Smith and Bryson Wittmer, Edison High School: Solar Flex • Rebecca Gallagher and Alexis Langenberg, St. Mary Central Catholic: Helping Hands • Eian Etchill and Mason McCune, St. Mary Central Catholic: American Railways United • Elijah Murria, Sandusky High School: Klean Kicks • Grant Wolfe and Aidan Miller, Western Reserve High School: The Miller Wolfe Creative • Liliannah Bennett, Huron High School: Littler Listeners • Rylee Henney, Huron High School: FurFlow • Savannah Schaffer, Margaretta High School: Blueprint Denim • Keylan Howell, Sandusky High School: HYBST The regional finals will be open to students, educators and community partners interested in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.