Scholars across our partner schools have been turning big ideas into bold inventions as part of Open Doors Academy’s largest-ever Pitch Challenge. Since March, scholars have been researching, designing, refining, and practicing their presentations with support from ODA educators and mentors — all in preparation for the final showcase.
This year also marked a milestone: for the first time, our entrepreneurship curriculum was implemented in Lima, with students from Lima West Middle School, Lima North Middle School, and Lima Heritage Elementary School all participating. Scholars tackled community challenges with impressive creativity and clarity — from a GPS-powered trash-cleaning robot to protect marine life, to a safety helmet for motorcyclists, to a snack cart designed to help classmates stay focused during long school days. Their presentations were thoughtful, solution-oriented, and rooted in empathy — proof that confidence and innovation thrive wherever opportunity lives.
In April, 19 scholars from Breakthrough Public Schools, Cleveland Heights-University Heights, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Euclid City Schools stepped onto the stage to pitch their inventions to a live audience and a panel of expert judges. Each presentation reflected hard work, creativity, and confidence in action.
Congratulations to our Grand Final winners:
TaiVonne H. – The Magic Pen (Elementary School)
A’mia R. – Aerofreeze (Middle School)
Mikkel C. – Grocery Connect (High School)
“This experience was awesome,” said A’mia. “My favorite part was getting to make an invention. I was able to show my artistic side — drawing, painting, building, and more. ODA helped me express that side publicly, and for that I’m grateful.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our panel of judges: Mattie Jones Hollowell from KeyBank, Curtis Walker from Monticello Middle School in Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District, Steve Weitzner from Case Western Reserve University, and Remi Murrey from News 5 Cleveland, who served as our dynamic emcee.
To the families, educators, partners, and supporters who cheered our scholars on every step of the way — thank you. Together, we are building confidence, leadership, and the belief that our scholars’ ideas can shape the future.
