SRVUSD Students Take Top Honors at Innovation Competition

San Ramon, CA—Safe-stick drug testing, Watch-Out for cases of emergencies, and Safe-Assist, a harassment prevention app, are not your typical high school projects -- but this was no normal day for students attending the JA® Social Innovation Camp on Wednesday, February 4th at the Robert Half office at Bishop Ranch. In fact, according to Junior Achievement of Northern California (JA) President Linda McCracken, getting students out of their comfort zones and into the world of pressing social issues was exactly the point.

“Bringing these students together and challenging them to open their minds to the range of issues our society contends with is a dynamic way to introduce them to real-world business environments and the skills they will need to be successful in the 21st century marketplace,” said McCracken. “By design, the JA Social Innovation Camp is fast-paced, encourages out-of-the-box thinking, and drives students to build on each other’s ideas to achieve the best-possible solutions—qualities that are valued by employers and critical in today’s business environment.”

This is the 3rd Annual event in the East Bay, and students from 14 local schools including California High, Monte Vista, San Ramon Valley and Dougherty Valley, rose to the challenge. The day began with a welcome reception at Robert Half International where students were mixed into randomized teams and participated in early morning ice-breaking activities designed to encourage creativity and resourcefulness. Teams then transitioned into “idea brainstorms” where they researched various social challenges and possible business solutions, products, or services. Students were supported throughout the day by a group of business professionals, community members, and educators.

Numerous Bishop Ranch companies underwrote the day’s program, and more than 15 employees volunteered from Robert Half International, AT&T, Jones Lang LaSalle, True Life Companies, and Union Bank. “Union Bank is proud to support the Junior Achievement Social Innovation Camp in San Ramon which encourages the creativity of future entrepreneurs,” said Union Bank Managing Director and Regional President Elaine Genevro, who serves on the Northern California Junior Achievement Board. “Students who participate in the Camp develop skills such as leadership and collaboration. We commend the dedication of the volunteers who give students the opportunity to take part in this program.”

At the end of a long day of idea generation, strategic development, and mentoring, the student teams presented business plans to judges who scored them on content, creativity, critical thinking and business viability. After a series of semi-finals, select teams proceeded to the final round where winners received certificates and cash scholarships. Congratulations to the following students:

First Place: “Safe Stick,” a drug testing sticker, that tests for GHB in your drink. The Safe Stick is affordable, disposable, effective, discreet, portable and is a gender neutral product. You simply dip the tip of your finger in your drink then swipe the liquid across the sticker, if the sticker changes colors, then your drink contains GHB.

1st Place Winning Student Team

Chandni Mistry, California High School

Dominic Turchet, Monte Vista High School

Casie Rellenbach, Dougherty Valley High School

Robert Hinzie, Monte Vista High School

Larissa Wilkinson, San Ramon Valley High School

Second Place: “Watch-Out,” a preventative, intervention, ‘watch type’ device that measures your individual heart rate and alarms when it detects a time of distress. Watch-Out vibrates, flashes, emits a sound and notifies emergency personnel.

2nd Place Student Team

Sahil Sandhu, Dougherty Valley High School

Maria Herrera, California High School

Joelle Victoriano, California High School

Justin Law, Dougherty Valley High School

Bronte Cintrone, Dougherty Valley High School

Third Place: “Safe Assist,” a sexual harassment prevention app that is proactive and prevents you from harm by providing a trained professional to call when you are in danger. Safe Assist is a safe and discreet way to contact authorities.

3rd Place Student Team

Stacey Bates, Monte Vista High School

Nancy Quach, California High School

Noelle Dorah, Monte Vista High School

About Junior Achievement of Northern California (JA)

Junior Achievement teaches young people about money management and the world of work. Junior Achievement of Northern California serves students in 23 counties throughout Northern and Central California. From Mendocino to Fresno; San Francisco to Stockton; and throughout Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay; JA will serve more than 126,000 students in the 2014-2015 school year. Through a dedicated volunteer network of over 4,700 individuals, JA offers in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. For more information, visit www.janorcal.org or www.facebook.com/janorcal