High School Students Pitch Entrepreneurial Ideas 

The inaugural Launch Lexington student pitch competition culminated with four high school teams squaring off for entrepreneurial bragging rights. In the end, a Tates Creek duo took home the trophy for what the judges described as a unique idea with growth potential. In their Fish Freaks pitch, classmates Christian Miller and Anderson Walton explained how their app can connect smartphone users with fishing tournaments. 

“There’s something incredibly powerful about watching students defend their ideas in front of judges. It’s no longer an assignment — it’s ownership and transformative education,” said Amanda Wickersham, director of Career & Technical Education for Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS).

Our district partnered with Awesome Inc. and UK’s Gatton College for this event, which truly showcased how teens demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit through creative business models. 

The other finalists were:

• Charlie Ma of Paul Laurence Dunbar with Li-ON, a proposal to ensure safer recycling of lithium ion batteries;
• Melody Epperson of Frederick Douglass with Hello Pics, a personalized business producing custom photo books;
• Drew Huff, Kayla Lubeck, and Dylan Neary of Frederick Douglass with Sovren Regalia, which promises to deliver luxury-style wristwatches at an affordable price.

Each had five minutes to present their idea, followed by a brief Q&A with the trio of judges in front of a crowd of University of Kentucky students and staff, local business mentors, and supportive family members gathered in Kincaid Auditorium at the Gatton College of Business and Economics. 

"This inaugural pitch competition proved to be more than just a display of student brilliance. It is now the blueprint for our signature showcase, directly supporting one of our most vital post-graduation pathways,” said Michael Adams Jr., external partnerships manager for FCPS.

The Launch Lexington organizers plan to encourage broader participation next year and hope to expand interest across Kentucky. 

“It’s about seeing opportunity where others see challenges,” said Alexis Allen, an associate dean in the Gatton College. “Students can learn how to turn curiosity into action as they explore entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Did You Know?

As part of the FCPS Portrait of a Graduate, our district strives to ensure every student can succeed in life through at least one of these potential pathways: Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment, or Entrepreneurship.

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