Shanahan wins Rising Starters event

17 Archdiocese of Philadelphia secondary schools took part in inaugural competition

DOWNINGTOWN » Bishop Shanahan High School student entrepreneurs were honored as first-place winners at the inaugural “Rising Starters” competition, hosted by Drexel University’s Close School of Entrepreneurship.

This was a one-of-a-kind, regional entrepreneurship competition for all 17 Archdiocese of Philadelphia secondary schools, coordinated through the efforts of Sister Maureen Lawrence McDermott, IHM, PhD, Chief Academic Officer and Superintendent of Secondary Schools.

All 17 high schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia were challenged to hold competitions among interested students. Students developed innovative business ideas and plans to successfully implement in a real-world environment. Bishop Shanahan High School had more than 40 teams compete in the first round of competition. Seven groups advanced and presented their plans to a panel of judges from Schoolyard Venture, an official “Rising Starters” partner. One team from Bishop Shanahan was selected to continue collaboration with Schoolyard Venture as they prepared for the Archdiocesan-wide competition. Together, they worked to identify the key areas and adopt best practices of business development. Bishop Shanahan faculty provided onsite support to the student team leading up to the final competition.

Drexel University welcomed the 17 teams from each of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia high schools for the “Rising Starters” pitch competition on Wednesday with keynote speaker, Nick Bayer, CEO of Saxbys.

The teams were judged by panels of local business owners and leaders. Six semi-finalist teams advanced to the final round and presented to a new panel of judges.

The Bishop Shanahan High School team, Faith Busanic, Hailey Gibson, Michael Skros, and Shaun Vassil, received the first place trophy and a $2,500 award to support their winning business proposal. The winning team has been invited to spend a day on Drexel’s campus in the Laurence A. Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship where they will work with college entrepreneurs.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Pictured, from left to right, are: Donna Marie De Carolis, Ph.D., founding Dean of Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University; and Bishop Shanahan High School students from the winning team Faith Busanic, Michael Skros, Hailey...