Seniors Bailey Shofstahl and Alyssa Corona placed second at the State competition for the Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge! They qualified to compete in the State competition after finishing first in the Greater New Orleans competition. The business plan and pitch for their idea, Safe-celet, won over the panel of judges. Safe-celet is a "stylish, waterproof, chargeable, and discreet bracelet with the ability to instantly send your location to law enforcement or trusted individual in the event of danger.” Safe-celet was designed with college students, particularly young women, in mind but they feel the product would be beneficial to many people.

As second-place winners in State, they will receive $2,500 in scholarships (split evenly between the two of them) and $2,500 for student activities at MCA.

As first-place winners in the Greater New Orleans competition, they will receive $5,000 in scholarships (split evenly between the two of them) and free Chick-fil-A for a year. Additionally, Mount Carmel will receive $2,500 to be used for student activities.

Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge (TYCIC), a program of Junior Achievement in partnership with the Brees Dream Foundation and the Idea Village.
 

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WATCH THEIR PITCH

 

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ABOUT THE TYCIC

The Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge is a program of Junior Achievement in partnership with the Brees Dream Foundation and The Idea Village. The competition teaches entrepreneurial thinking to students and fine tunes their business pitches before presenting the finalists at a culminating event during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week.

Students begin the process by learning about the elements of a business plan. They next develop an idea that will make a difference in their community or answer a need in the marketplace. Their completed business plans are submitted for the first round of judging and semi-finalists are chosen.

The semi-finalists are mentored by local entrepreneurs and community leaders for eight weeks during the intensive Junior Achievement Accelerator Workshop Series. The workshops provide a platform to not only inspire students to anticipate and solve problems but also develop entrepreneurial and management skills. With the mentor's guidance, the teams improve their public speaking and presentation skills.

Students pitch their products in the final round. The winner receives a continuing education award and moves on to the state competition at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. The winner's school also receives an award to help fund student activities.