PMHS Students Win Prize Money and Showcase Entrepreneurial Spirit

MEDFORD, NEW YORK—Patchogue-Medford High School students recently submitted competitive business proposals to the eighth-annual Patchogue Young Professionals and Patchogue-Medford High School Business Plan Competition. Four Patchogue-Medford High School pitches placed, sharing $3,750 in prize money provided by the Kiwanis Club of Patchogue.

“The Patchogue-Medford School District is proud to provide learning environments that cultivate students’ ingenuity and encourage entrepreneurship,” said Patchogue-Medford School District Superintendent Dr. Donna Jones. “These student proposals were outstanding and showcased the hard work, thoughtfulness, and dedicated research that enabled their creation. Every day, we are impressed by the talent of our students, and we are pleased to congratulate the winners, as well as all of those who participated.”

First place was awarded to the business proposals for Bus Buddy and Pure Smile. Bus Buddy—developed by seniors Ella McCann, Hannah Nuzzo, and Gabriella Poirier—is an app that allows students to see in real-time when their school bus will arrive and enables parents and bus drivers to see when the student is on the bus and has disembarked. Junior Marilyn Cruz and senior Julianna Owens developed Pure Smile, a biodegradable alternative to plastic toothbrushes that includes a built-in holder with biodegradable floss, improving the environment and dental health. The toothbrush includes a replaceable brush head with charcoal-infused bamboo bristles on top of an aluminum handle.

Third place went to Safe Straw, developed by seniors Kevin Hidalgo and Luke Loewe, which tests for the presence of any foreign substances in a drink to combat drink spiking. Plus Avenue, a proposal by senior Ryan Daly for a vintage clothing store for plus-size women, was awarded an honorable mention.

For more information about the Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.pmschools.org. Happenings in the District can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PatMedSchools/. #PatMedPride.