Betsabe Ramos and Aubree Caya place 1st and 3rd at the Madison College Pitch
By Gavin Rhodes - 5/18/23
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On May 5th, 2023, Seniors Aubree Caya and Betsabe Ramos competed in a business competition known as “The Pitch” at Madison College.
Out of 40 original competitors from schools around the area, Betsabe Ramos placed 1st and Aubree Caya placed 3rd. However, these two students did a lot of work preparing for this competition and took away more than just a cash prize.
We had the chance to sit down with Betsabe, Aubree, and business educator, Mr. Curkovic to ask them about their experience of presenting at “The Pitch.”
First of all, what is “The Pitch?” Mr. Curkovic said, “The purpose of this pitch is to give high school students an experience of what it is like to be an entrepreneur.” Contestants come up with a hypothetical business and marketing plan to present to a panel of Judges. Furthermore, Betsabe described the pitch as being “very much like Shark Tank. The Judges want to ask you about your marketing plan, sales strategy, and finances."
Aubree Caya Presents Her Business Idea, Allergy Safe, to the Judges.
The Pitch has two rounds. The first is a video submission where students submit a video of themselves presenting their pitch to be judged on certain factors including creativity, the problem they are trying to solve and what their solution will do, as well as their marketing and financial projection for their business. “13 of the students who submitted a video were invited to the in-person competition on May 5th at Madison College to present their business pitch again in person," said Betsabe.
Presenting the project in person offered additional challenges and opportunities. Betsabe said that “I was definitely a little nervous. There were some people that were timid while presenting and it showed.” This is important because in the real business world, entrepreneurs need to not only come up with innovative business ideas but also be able to present them effectively.
Mr. Curkovic added that “I can't think of a job that at some point if there is advancement, there is going to be an element of presentation. If you are in charge of structuring a meeting or approaching a prospective client, these are all skills that separate you from being functional at best. If you cannot communicate with a client, who wants to spend 10 million dollars at your company, where are you going to get that money from?”
Betsabe Ramos Presents Her Business Idea, Frosty Hounds.
It turns out that being an entrepreneur, having the business innovations, and being able to communicate them effectively pays off. Betsabe was awarded a 500-dollar cash prize and Aubree a 300-dollar cash prize.
After the competition, some people came up to Betsabe and Aubree and said that “They liked both of our pitches and want to help young entrepreneurs,” according to Betsabe. “Their whole business was helping other people start their own business,” recalled Aubree.
It is clear extremely hard work and dedication has lead to these two seniors at Oregon excelling at this local Pitch competition.
If you would like to do The Pitch in a future year, it is recommended that you take a business or marketing class. Aubree said that “This year was only her second time taking a business class,” so you do not have to have tons of business experience before being successful.
It’s a fun opportunity to try something new, experience a real-world speaking opportunity, and present something you are passionate about.
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