Wow! Amazing! Awesome! Impressive! These are only a few ways to say, “Great Job!” These are words that can describe the three finalist teams for the Young Entrepreneurs of the Rio Grande Valley Challenge. RGV LEAD would like to congratulate the finalists: 1st place went to Wize Eats by Teresa A. Velez of Weslaco East High School (Pictured right); 2nd Place: Studio Café by Julietta Silva and Renata Perez of Brownsville Veterans Memorial Early College High School; and 3rd place: Maddy-May Masks by Zoey Martinez and Heather May of Lyford High School.

Serving as judges for the event were Lizzy de la Garza Putegnat, Account Executive for Schneider Electric and RGV LEAD Board Chair; Ryan Solis, Attorney and RGV LEAD Board member; Dr. Esmeralda Adame, South Texas College and RGV LEAD Board member; and Dr. Russell Adams from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

A heartfelt “Thank you” is extended to the judges, business mentors, and financial sponsors, and guest speakers who dedicated their time and effort to this unique event.

In addition, RGV LEAD would like to give a special shout-out to the Entrepreneurship Leadership Team from the RGV Partnership, Texas Gas Service, Magic Valley Electrics Cooperative, and Schneider Electric, and UTRV Center for Innovation and Commercialization This was the first time the competition was held virtually; and it proved to be a great success. Students were asked to describe the pros and cons of the virtual competition and they were quick to mention that much time was saved when meeting with their competition mentors and with each other to plan and coordinate their presentations. Yes, dropped internets provided temporary problems, but ones that these entrepreneurs could overcome! All in all, the virtual competition was well received and may be a consideration in the future.