Schools
Clarke High School Team Wins State Business Competition
The students took home first place in the Junior Achievement of New York Business Plan Competition.
EAST MEADOW, NY — A team of students from W.T. Clarke High School recently captured first place in the Junior Achievement of New York Business Plan Competition. Seniors Anjali Aggarwal, Ryan Faude, Jeena Trinh and Raheem Sheikh created a product called the CerebroTech LLC, a tool that connects to an app that can be used to strengthen concentration, boost memory and ease anxiety. Similar to a fidget spinner, the cube can help users to remain focused while working or learning.
The theme of the competition was COVID-19, and the idea for the CerebroTech came naturally when the team began discussing what they should create.
“We designed it specifically with students in mind, because we can get distracted during online learning,” Raheem explained. “With our product, they not only can focus better but they can also train their brains so they can improve mental capability in the future.”
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The team competed in the intensive entrepreneurship experience against more than 100 other teams throughout New York State. The competition included several rounds of virtual competition, starting at the school level and culminating at the state level.
Anjali, Ryan, Jeena and Raheem created a 3D prototype of the CerebroTech and printed it using the school’s 3D printers. Additionally, Raheem and Jeena hand drew designs for the packaging and app pages, which they then presented to the judges during a presentation. Along with the visual components, the team believes what truly set them apart in the competition was their ability to work together.
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“We work really well as a team and we all helped each other in the process,” Anjali said. “This resulted in us knowing every aspect of the business inside and out and having really good chemistry during our presentation.”
Business teacher Joe Pavia praised the students for their hard work and success, especially with the challenges they faced during the 2020-21 school year.
“Even the pandemic couldn’t stop this team,” he said. “It seems as though no obstacles were going to keep them from their entrepreneurial destiny!”
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