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Young Entrepreneurs Club Hosts Second Annual "Bronco Tank" Competition

4/18/2024

The entrepreneurial spirit thrived once again at Brophy College Preparatory as the Young Entrepreneurs Club hosted its second annual "Bronco Tank" competition. Held in the Black Box Theater during Community Period, the event showcased the inventive ideas of nine student teams competing for recognition. Six distinguished guest judges brought their expertise to the table, evaluating the pitches and ultimately selecting the winners.

Claiming the top spot this year was "Play More," presented by Bennett De Spong '26. De Spong's innovation introduced a retractable net designed to prevent sports balls from straying beyond designated areas, thereby optimizing athletes' training sessions by reducing time spent retrieving wayward balls.

In a display of remarkable competition, second place was a tie between two outstanding projects. "TUTR," presented by Sam Kerkhove '24, proposed a platform connecting students with tutors for online study sessions, aiming to provide reliable academic support. Meanwhile, "Essei," presented by Zak Tanveer '25 and Michael Lutz '25, offered a sophisticated approach to electric charging stations tailored to affluent clients, featuring luxurious amenities.

The panel of judges featured esteemed industry leaders: Paul Mulligan '88, president and CEO of Catholic Charities AZ; Hope Levin, Regional president of Johnson Financial Group; Colleen Edwards, CEO of Cove Communities; John Ashton '87, managing director of Risk Program Administrators; and Tess Burleson, COO of TGen Research Institute.

Additional competitors presented a diverse array of entrepreneurial ventures:

"Halo Capital," presented by Asher Golub '27 and Charlie Fabricant '27, introduced an application facilitating investments in local and small businesses.
"Cards Selling," presented by Ryland Schultz '24 and Josiah Jalondo-on, offered a fee-based service for cleaning, certifying, and selling sports cards.
"'Nu," presented by Bran'nu Brown '26, showcased a natural hair care brand emphasizing inclusivity and organic ingredients.
"Paira," presented by Ash Panzarella '26, proposed an application incentivizing customer support for small businesses through a rewards system.

The event was expertly moderated by Mrs. Jill Zimmerman, vice president of Finance and Operations.

Leading the charge behind the scenes were Co-Presidents Nate George '24 and Jake Krotonsky '24, supported by Alec Bansal, vice president of Community Outreach, Hayden Penn vice president of Social Media, and Luis Villalpando, vice president of Programming.

The "Bronco Tank" competition not only provided a platform for students to showcase their entrepreneurial acumen but also fostered creativity, collaboration, and leadership among the participants. As the event drew to a close, it underscored Brophy College Preparatory's dedication to nurturing the next generation of innovative thinkers and business leaders.