Page 33 - Manila Up Vol3#7
P. 33

you don't learn in school, you learn by experience.                                 especially just need
               The students that were involved were Aira                                        the encouragement
            Torres; Future Fashion Icon, Joshua Lopez Plechaty;                                 and the skills.
            Future Gaming Mogul, Giselle Whittaker; Future                                        We need to
            Trend Setter & Party Queen, Madelyne Lemieux;                                       create future
            Future Wonder woman, Michael Mira-Lopez;                                            disruptors that keep
            Future Comedic Icon,                                                                making our world
            Erik Fischer;                                                                       more interesting,
            Future Famous                                                                       more joyous and
            Photographer                                                                        more encouraging
            (all photos in this                                            Josh HS              for every future
            article were taken                                                                  generation. Because
            by Erik) and Irene                                                                  they are the future,
            Parlati; Future Top                                  and the happier they are, the happier the world is.
            Chef.                                                   The students had to pitch to a panel of judges who
               This group of                                     knew nothing about them or their business, they of
            rock stars were                                      course WOW’d our judges and earned the interest and
            still in high school                                 respect of some amazing entrepreneurs.
                                                                    We had so much support putting this beta
                                                                 program together. Our investors, Erick Factor; Serial
                                                                 Entrepreneur and Harpreet (Happy) Nahal; Licensed
                                                   Aira HS       Attorney donated the funds and their time for the
                                                                 students.  And our panel of judges was made up of
                                                                 three amazing entrepreneurs; Karm Sumal CEO and
                                              during the         Co-Founder of Daily Hive, Catherine Chick CIO of
                                              program and        Mitacs and Julius Makarewicz CEO of Nude Vodka
                                              they committed     Soda. They asked the students amazing questions,
                                              5 months, on       engaged with their business idea’s and encouraged them
                                               top of working,   in the best way!
                                               on top of school     Being an entrepreneur is not just fun, it’s a
                                               work, into        community of people that care about what they do, and
                                               this program.     what they give back.  Cheers to the #futuredisruptors
                Giselle Whittaker              Our 3 finalists   and the Future change makers, we all can’t wait to see
                                               were Aira         what you are going to do for and with the world, and
                                               Torres, who       believe me, you can!
            won the top prize of $4000 and Incorporation for
            her business. The two runner ups were Joshua Lopez      Much Love,
            Plechaty and Giselle Whittaker, who both won $500 for   Kat Schulte
            their businesses. The grand prize went to Aira for her
            great presentation and micro-business plan but trust
            me, every single one of these students have acquired
            skills that they can take into their life in any area that
            they pursue.  And every single one of them deserve all
            that is coming their way and more.  They have been
            amazing to work with. Smart, kind, respectful.  Even
            the students that didn't continue through the whole
            program. I am so proud of this generation.  Their
            creativity and maturity has been inspiring.  Students



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