Local Student Team Vies for Junior Achievement Awards
WASHINGTON DC – A team of students from Spring-Ford Area High School and three others, which was selected as one of 15 finalist groups to compete in the Junior Achievement National Student Leadership Summit, on Wednesday (June 22, 2022) wrapped up three days of presentations, events and learning experiences in the nation’s capital.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Junior Achievement team was sponsored by Pfizer Corp. in Collegeville. For their privacy, team members the organization did not identify team members by name.
Junior Achievement says it is “the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.” Locally, it works with students from Owen J. Roberts, Spring-Ford, Phoenixville, and Methacton high schools.
The five, and 13 additional students, all founded “Relaxivibe,” a unit within Junior Achievement’s company program. In it, students start and run a real business enterprise under the guidance of a volunteers. Several Pfizer employees voluntarily mentored the students throughout “their entrepreneurial journey,” according to the organization’s Wayne PA office.
Relaxivibe members invented a visually appealing yet discreet coping mechanism for people who need to manage stress and increase focus. Its “Fidgelet” design is fashionable, adjustable, and provides multiple sensory experiences to “calm your vibe” without bothering people nearby. Users can quietly slide, roll, or squeeze various textured beads due to its woven design and sound-dampening silicone beads.
Team members not only researched and determined a need for the product, but also manufactured, marketed, and sold it. Their success led them to win the local “Best Overall Company” award during a Junior Achievement Entrepreneurship Summit in April.
During the Washington summit, the five team members each competed for individual awards, and the team itself was in the running for four group awards.
Photo by Artur Verkhovetskiy via Deposit Photos, used under license
