MPCHS iJAG students succeed at entrepreneurial workshops

IOWA CITY — Of 10 Mt. Pleasant Community High School Students that attended the DesignDash entrepreneur workshop, Design Dash, at the University of Iowa this month, three received awards.

Out of over 150 students attending these workshops, Zoey Johnson and Belen Merida received awards for most pre-sales and Michael Pope earned recognition for best sales pitch.

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Beki Hoyle, 9-10 grade iJAG education specialist, says John, Merida, and Pope’s achievements at DesignDash are “A great representation of our students’ abilities.”

The Jacobson Institute at the University of Iowa hosts these start up events to engage high school students and educators in one-day, fast-paced entrepreneurial excursions. According to the event website, high school students work in teams with entrepreneurs, business and industry partners to solve problems they face. Students are challenged to use entrepreneurial solutions that drive innovation forward.

Students attending DesignDash selected a topic that was meaningful to them and tried to create a solution with a business model to solve the problem. Previous topics of problems students examine in DesignDash include time management, nutritional food options, and bullying. They then present their solutions to whatever problem they select to a panel of judges. It was at this part of the workshop that Pope really shined and earned his award.

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Events like these help iJAG work out their mission to “ensure a future Iowa where youth are resilient and well-prepared with skills, purpose, and opportunities.” As a program that focuses on empowering students in Iowa to succeed, thrive, and become future-ready leaders, giving them the opportunity to flex their creative problem-solving muscles with their peers and leaders in the industry is right in line with iJAG goals.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com