Seneca County CEO program continues

TIFFIN — Students participating in the Seneca County Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) program recently presented their businesses at the 5th Annual Pitch Competition. Modeled after the popular TV show Shark Tank, the event featured 14 student-run businesses pitching their ideas to a panel of nine local business leaders and community stakeholders. The competition was structured in two rounds, beginning with three breakout rooms where students presented to smaller judging panels. The top two businesses from each room advanced to the final round on the main stage, forming a group of six finalists who delivered their pitches to the full audience and judging panel. This years winner was Luella Burkholder, founder of Lu's Coffee Co., whose business stood out for its accessibility to coffee in the Republic and Attica areas. In second place was Mason Reinhart, founder of Hart Outdoors, and in third place was Grant Blonde, founder of BL Decants. Other student entrepreneurs who presented included Karlie Summit with Karlie's Kakes, Alexzander Rochester with Village Palace, Owen Hickey with Passed Along, Kaleigh Concepcion with Pure Balance Studio, Arianna Smith with Verterra Houseplants, Chance Lucius with Lucius Junk Removal & Hauling, Kennedy Lucas with Home Sweet Home Bakery, Ian Cortez with Cortez Computers, Alaina Sherman with The Glitched Paradox Arcade Rentals, Marissa Allen with Hair by Marissa and Olyvor Distel with The Maker's Room. This year's judges included Jeff Knedler of Hempy Water, Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson, Dale Dephew of the Seneca News Daily, Kellie C. McGilvray of Tiffin University, Samuel Smith and Jim Distel of Reineke Family Dealerships, Ed VanHoose of NCE, Zach Arnold of Arnold Machine, and Penelope Logsdon of Pan Yan Bookstore.