High School to the Pros Pitch Competition 2026 Wraps Up

The 2026 High School to the Pros Pitch Competition brought together student entrepreneurs from across three schools for an exciting week of innovation, leadership, and business development. Held across three schools; Walker Career Center, J. Everett Light Career Center, and McKenzie Career Center, the competition gave students the opportunity to present their business ideas, sharpen their public speaking skills, and gain real-world entrepreneurial experience in front of our knowledgeable and experienced judges and mentors.

Over the course of the competition, students showcased creativity, confidence, and problem-solving through thoughtfully developed business concepts and compelling presentations. Each campus brought its own energy and perspective to the event, highlighting the incredible talent and ambition of the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The High School to the Pros Pitch Competition continues to serve as a platform for empowering students to think beyond the classroom, develop leadership skills, and pursue innovative ideas that can create meaningful impact in their communities and future careers.

The competition kicked off at Walker Career Center on May 7, where students presented innovative business ideas and showcased their entrepreneurial skills.

The winner of the Walker Career Center competition was Aneisha Westfield, founder of Beyond the Draft.

An 11th-grade student-athlete and emerging entrepreneur, Aneisha built Beyond the Draft from her own experiences, giving her a unique perspective on both the business and the audience it serves. Her pitch stood out for its creativity, authenticity, and strong sense of purpose.

Known for her drive and leadership, Aneisha was also selected as one of only two students to represent Walker Career Center at this year’s State Entrepreneurship Competition, further highlighting her dedication and entrepreneurial potential.

The High School to the Pros Pitch Competition continued at J. Everett Light Career Center from May 11–12, bringing together another impressive group of student entrepreneurs eager to pitch their ideas and showcase their hard work.

The winner of the J. Everett Light Career Center competition was Valerie Sanchez Fernandez, founder of Sugarnest.

With a passion for baking and creativity, Valerie built Sugarnest around crafting cookies and a variety of desserts. Her pitch stood out for its originality and thoughtful business development, including market research that led to the creation of a unique strawberry cream dessert to complement her signature products.

Valerie’s dedication to quality, innovation, and entrepreneurship reflects the spirit of the High School to the Pros Pitch Competition and highlights her potential as a rising young business leader.

The final leg of the High School to the Pros Pitch Competition took place at McKenzie Career Center from May 12–15, where students showcased innovative ideas, teamwork, and entrepreneurial creativity.

The winning team, Cameron Dixon, Kipton Geier, and Henry Stayte earned top honors with their business, Circle City Baseball Clinic.

Their business concept focused on creating opportunities for young athletes through baseball training and skill development, combining their shared passion for the sport with an entrepreneurial mindset. The team’s collaboration, presentation skills, and clear vision for their business helped them stand out throughout the competition.

Their success highlighted the power of teamwork, leadership, and innovation that the High School to the Pros Pitch Competition aims to inspire in students across all participating schools.

The High School to the Pros Pitch Competition would not have been possible without the time, insight, and support of our incredible judges. Across each competition, judges brought valuable industry knowledge, thoughtful feedback, and encouragement that helped create a meaningful and impactful experience for every student participant.

Their willingness to invest in the next generation of young entrepreneurs played an important role in the success of this year’s competition, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions.

2026 Judges

Zack Conner, Kristle Brooks, Dr Heather L Savage, Ian Illig, Shaneeka Abram, Brigitte Brigham, Darius Willis, Aubrey Clarke, David Herron, Akinsola Jegede, and Nicole Woods

As this year’s High School to the Pros Pitch Competition comes to a close, the program celebrates not only the winners, but every student who stepped forward to share their ideas, challenge themselves, and embrace the entrepreneurial mindset.