MHS Shark Tank gives students bite of the business world

Nov 3, 2015

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Maricopa High School DECA will host the second annual MHS Shark Tank on Nov. 19, 5-8 p.m., in the Performing Arts Center at Maricopa High School, sponsored by Pinal County Federal Credit Union and Councilwoman Nancy Smith.

At MHS Shark Tank, students will have the opportunity to present and pitch their ideas for an original business or product to community members. Everyone is invited to judge.

The top five ideas go live into the “tank” composed of local business owners. Students share their business ideas for the chance to win prizes, money, business coaching, advertising and more. This year, InMaricopa’s Scott Bartle, Ace Hardware’s Mike Richey, Chamber of Commerce CEO Marla Lewis and Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship Director Dan Beach will be returning as “sharks” for the event.

Smith donated the Audience Choice award-winning prize of $500 for this year’s event. Pinal County Federal Credit Union also serves as a Diamond Sponsor for the event, providing the bulk of donations to furnish T-shirts and awards to participating young entrepreneurs. Additional sponsors include #Vidit, Art on the Veranda, Uniquely Sewn, Wood and Weaving, City of Maricopa and UltraStar Multi-tainment Center.

This year’s program expanded to elementary and middle schools. Students at Santa Rosa, Butterfield, Pima Butte, Desert Wind Middle School and Maricopa Wells Middle School, and gifted students at Saddleback will hold their own against 9-12 graders from Maricopa High School’s Career and Technical Education programs.

DECA is an international organization dedicated to emerging young leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, management, hospitality and finance. Maricopa junior and DECA Chief Information Officer Juan Carrillo developed and managed this year’s event. With the help of VP of Operations David Shaffer, sophomore, the team garnered more than $1,000 in donations for the event plus the support of local business to serve as “sharks.”

An open house and voting will be from 5-7 p.m., followed by the Shark Tank program that will begin promptly at 7 pm. Refreshments and information on the marketing programs at MHS will be provided.